Fair Market Rents: Lea County, NM (FY2026)
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Lea County set the ceiling for what Housing Choice Vouchers pay locally. FMR equals the estimated 40th-percentile gross rent — shelter plus utilities — for modest, non-luxury units.
| Unit size | FY2026 FMR | NM median* |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (0-BR) | $1,062/mo | $752 (+41%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,068/mo | $885 (+21%) |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,324/mo | $1,040 (+27%) |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,641/mo | $1,396 (+18%) |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $1,829/mo | $1,619 (+13%) |
*Median across all FMR-publishing counties in NM. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR schedule.
Using FMR as a voucher holder in Lea County
- Your housing authority sets payment standards per bedroom, typically 90–110% of these figures. How payment standards work →
- You may rent above the standard by paying the difference, subject to a 40%-of-income cap at lease-up.
- In high-cost pockets, ask about exception standards or Small Area FMRs by ZIP code.
Subsidized housing in Lea County
We track 17 assisted properties countywide:
| City | Properties | Assisted units |
|---|---|---|
| Hobbs | 12 | 745 |
| Lovington | 4 | 174 |