Fair Market Rents: Merrick County, NE (FY2026)
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Merrick 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 | NE median* |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (0-BR) | $689/mo | $666 (+3%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $732/mo | $758 (-3%) |
| 2 Bedrooms | $961/mo | $961 (0%) |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,323/mo | $1,268 (+4%) |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $1,612/mo | $1,351 (+19%) |
*Median across all FMR-publishing counties in NE. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR schedule.
Using FMR as a voucher holder in Merrick 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 Merrick County
We track 7 assisted properties countywide:
| City | Properties | Assisted units |
|---|---|---|
| Central City | 5 | 90 |