FY2027 Small Area FMR · Merna, NE

ZIP 68856 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 68856 (Merna, NE) is $1,280 a month, up 4.9% from FY2026. That is 26% above the Custer County, NE area-wide FMR of $1,014.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,280per month ▲ 4.9%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,014Custer County, NE

Rank in the area2ndof 21 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,152

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,280

110% of SAFMR$1,408

Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.

Studio$930▲ 9.4%

1 BR$990▲ 6.5%

2 BR$1,280▲ 4.9%

3 BR$1,770▲ 4.1%

4 BR$1,990▲ 6.4%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 68856 sits in the Custer County, NE area

Of the 21 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 68856 has the 2nd highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Custer County, NE is not on HUD's list of mandatory Small Area FMR areas, so voucher payment standards here are normally based on the area-wide FMR of $1,014 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,280 for this ZIP code instead.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$930	$837 – $1,023	$734	$850
1 bedroom	$990	$891 – $1,089	$783	$930
2 bedrooms	$1,280	$1,152 – $1,408	$1,014	$1,220
3 bedrooms	$1,770	$1,593 – $1,947	$1,404	$1,700
4 bedrooms	$1,990	$1,791 – $2,189	$1,577	$1,870

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,280 needs about $51,200 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $85,700 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $75,300. ZIP code 68856 lies mainly in Custer County. See the Custer County, NE county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
68813	Anselmo	11.6 mi	$1,010
68822	Broken Bow	13.3 mi	$1,020
68874	Sargent	19.3 mi	$1,010
68825	Callaway	21.9 mi	$1,010
68881	Westerville	22.8 mi	$1,180
68814	Ansley	24.2 mi	$1,270

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 68856?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 68856 are $930 (studio), $990 (1 BR), $1,280 (2 BR), $1,770 (3 BR) and $1,990 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 68856?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 68856 that range is $1,152 to $1,408 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 68856?

The FY2026 income limits of the Custer County, NE area apply: median family income $85,700, low-income (80%) limit $75,300 for a family of four.