At $1,282/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,282 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($68,474) is $1,712 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,350); a 3-bedroom is $1,860.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Laurel. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Laurel, MT is majority owner-occupied, 20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Laurel, MT has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $59,444 in 2021 to $68,474 more recently. Renters now make up 41.3% of households, compared with 33.4% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Laurel on your salary?
At $1,282/mo, how Laurel rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Laurel rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Laurel. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Laurel
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Laurel is $1,282/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,350/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,860/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($68,474/yr), Laurel ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Laurel?
Is rent going up or down in Laurel?
How does Laurel rent compare to other cities in Montana?
At $1,282/mo, rent takes ~22% of Laurel's median household income ($68,474/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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