If you rent in Pocatello, Chubbuck, Idaho Falls, Ammon, Rexburg, or Blackfoot, or you own a rental there, this fall gives renters a little more room to negotiate than they’ve had in a while. Average asking rents in Pocatello and Idaho Falls are lower than a year ago. Meanwhile HUD’s new Fair Market Rents, which took effect October 1, went up in Pocatello and dipped in Idaho Falls. Here’s what the numbers show, what they mean for setting or budgeting rent, and what to think about before you move this winter.
Pocatello rent prices right now
According to Zillow Rentals market trends for Pocatello (last updated October 21, 2026), the average asking rent across all bedroom sizes and property types is $983 a month. That’s down $10 from last month and $117 lower than a year ago. Zillow counted 231 available rentals, with asking rents running from $500 to $2,640, and put Pocatello about 51% below the national average of $2,000.
By bedroom size, Zillow’s Pocatello averages are about $775 for a 1-bedroom, $968 for a 2-bedroom, $1,220 for a 3-bedroom, and $2,050 for a 4-bedroom.
Next door in Chubbuck, Zillow shows an average of $975, down $34 from a year ago, across just 43 listings. With that few listings, one or two large homes can move the average a lot. Chubbuck’s average fell $225 in a single month, so treat it as a rough guide.
Idaho Falls rent prices right now
Zillow’s Idaho Falls rental data (also updated October 21, 2026) puts the average asking rent at $1,379 a month. That’s up $45 from last month but $82 lower than a year ago. Zillow counted 288 available rentals, and rents in Idaho Falls run about 31% below the national average.
Bedroom averages in Idaho Falls are about $870 for a 1-bedroom, $1,175 for a 2-bedroom, $1,600 for a 3-bedroom, and $2,561 for a 4-bedroom.
Ammon, Rexburg, and Blackfoot
All three figures come from Zillow Rentals pages updated October 21, 2026. Inventory in these cities is small, so the averages can swing month to month.
- Ammon: Zillow shows an average of $1,500, down $300 from a year ago, with 37 rentals listed. That’s the biggest annual drop of the cities here, though Ammon is still the most expensive.
- Rexburg: Zillow shows $1,270, down $130 from a year ago, with 102 rentals. Zillow rates Rexburg’s rental market “cool,” meaning demand is soft compared with the national average.
- Blackfoot: Zillow shows $1,295, the only city here that’s up from last year (by $45), with 42 rentals listed.
HUD’s new Fair Market Rents for FY 2027
HUD’s Fair Market Rents (FMRs) set the baseline for Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. The FY 2027 FMR notice took effect October 1, 2026. Here are the new numbers for the region’s two metro areas, next to Zillow’s current asking averages:
| Unit size | Pocatello MSA FMR (FY 2027) | Pocatello Zillow avg. | Idaho Falls FMR (FY 2027) | Idaho Falls Zillow avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom | $956 | $775 | $1,064 | $870 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,251 | $968 | $1,274 | $1,175 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,732 | $1,220 | $1,764 | $1,600 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,091 | $2,050 | $2,129 | $2,561 |
Sources: HUD USER FY 2027 FMR documentation for the Pocatello, ID MSA (Bannock County) and the Idaho Falls, ID HUD Metro FMR Area (Bonneville and Jefferson counties), plus the Zillow pages linked above.
The year-over-year changes go in opposite directions. Pocatello’s 2-bedroom FMR rose from $1,173 to $1,251, an increase of $78 (about 6.6%, our math). Idaho Falls’ 2-bedroom FMR fell from $1,305 to $1,274, a drop of $31 (about 2.4%). For counties outside the two metros, HUD’s FY 2027 2-bedroom FMR is $1,159 in Madison County (Rexburg) and $1,017 in Bingham County (Blackfoot).
The FMR is not a market rent forecast. HUD builds it from gross rent, which includes utilities, at roughly the 40th percentile, while Zillow’s figures are asking rents that often leave utilities out. So a gap between the two columns doesn’t automatically mean a unit is under- or overpriced. If you rent to voucher holders, ask your local housing authority for its current payment standard. HUD gives agencies time to adjust to the new FMRs.
What renters can actually afford
HUD treats a household as cost burdened when housing costs, including utilities, exceed 30% of monthly income. The Census Bureau’s QuickFacts (2020-2024 American Community Survey) puts median household income at $60,418 in Pocatello and $73,110 in Idaho Falls, with a median gross rent of $948 and $1,075.
Some quick math using those figures:
- 30% of Pocatello’s median income is about $1,510 a month for rent and utilities. To keep Zillow’s $983 average rent under 30%, a household would need about $39,320 a year in income.
- 30% of Idaho Falls’ median income is about $1,828 a month. To keep the $1,379 average under 30%, a household would need about $55,160 a year.
Before you compare those to a listing, add your expected heating, power, water, and trash. In a Southeastern Idaho winter, a rent that looks cheaper can end up costing more once a drafty unit’s gas bill comes in.
Tips for renters moving before winter
- Use the softer market. With rents below last year in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Ammon, and Rexburg, it’s reasonable to ask about a lower rent, a longer lease at the same price, or a move-in concession, especially on a unit that’s been listed for a while.
- Don’t wait for a winter discount. Zillow’s monthly history shows that last year, Pocatello’s average rose from $1,075 in October 2025 to $1,100 in November and December, and Idaho Falls went from $1,495 to $1,550 by December. Rents didn’t drop as winter came, so if you find a good fit now, don’t hold out for something cheaper.
- Ask about winter costs. Find out who handles snow removal, whether the unit has gas or electric heat, and what last winter’s utility bills averaged.
- Get the lease terms in writing. Under Idaho Code 55-305, fees must be reasonable and can’t exceed what’s in your rental agreement. Read the fee section before you sign.
Tips for landlords setting rent this fall
- Price to this month’s comps. A rent set from last fall’s numbers is likely to be too high in most of the region. In Idaho Falls, an extra few weeks of vacancy can easily cost more than the $82 difference between last year’s average and this year’s.
- Give proper notice for increases. Idaho Code 55-304 requires at least 30 days’ written notice before a residential rent increase takes effect, and 30 days’ notice if you don’t plan to renew a lease.
- Time your lease endings. If a lease ends in December or January, think about offering a renewal or a lease that runs into late spring or summer, so you aren’t looking for a new tenant during the snowiest months.
- Know the voucher numbers. In Pocatello, the new 2-bedroom FMR of $1,251 is well above Zillow’s $968 asking average. If your unit fits under the local payment standard, voucher holders can be a steady source of tenants.
- Winterize before you list. Check the furnace, seal drafts, and make sure the pipes are protected. Tenants touring in November notice cold rooms, and a warm unit is easier to rent.
Frequently asked questions
Are Pocatello rent prices going down?
Yes, a little. Zillow’s average asking rent in Pocatello is $983 as of October 21, 2026, down $117 from a year ago. HUD’s FY 2027 Fair Market Rents for the Pocatello metro went up, though, so this looks like a softer stretch rather than a collapse.
What is the average rent in Idaho Falls?
Zillow puts the Idaho Falls average at $1,379 across all unit types, with a 2-bedroom averaging about $1,175. HUD’s FY 2027 2-bedroom FMR for the Idaho Falls area is $1,274.
How much notice does an Idaho landlord need to give before raising rent?
At least 30 days in writing for residential rentals, under Idaho Code 55-304.
Renting or owning a rental in Southeastern Idaho?
Axiom Properties manages rentals and helps owners and renters across Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and the surrounding area, as well as St. George and Tucson. If you’re thinking of buying instead of renting, our fall 2026 Idaho Falls and Pocatello home price update covers the buying side. For help pricing a rental or finding the right place to rent, reach out to our team.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rent data changes monthly, so check current listings and confirm voucher payment standards with your local housing authority.

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