Nebraska · FIPS 31093 · HUD FY 2027
Howard County, Nebraska Fair Market Rent
HUD’s FY 2027 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Howard County is $1,014 a month (rent plus utilities), 20% below the Nebraska average of $1,260 and 42% below the U.S. average of $1,761. That is down $35 (3.3%) from FY 2026. At 30% of income, a household needs about $40,560 a year to afford it.
- $1,0142-bedroom FMR−$35 (−3.3%) vs FY 2026
- $9241-bedroom FMRNebraska: $1,036 · U.S.: $1,478
- $40,560Income for a 2-bedroom$20/hour full-time
- 28 of 932BR rank in Nebraska1 = highest rent
| Unit | Howard County FY 2027 | FY 2026 | Change | Nebraska avg | U.S. avg | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $754 | $752 | +$2 (+0.3%) | $977 | $1,379 | $30,160 |
| 1 bedroom | $924 | $910 | +$14 (+1.5%) | $1,036 | $1,478 | $36,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,014 | $1,049 | −$35 (−3.3%) | $1,260 | $1,761 | $40,560 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,260 | $1,258 | +$2 (+0.2%) | $1,659 | $2,266 | $50,400 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,695 | $1,389 | +$306 (+22.0%) | $1,883 | $2,607 | $67,800 |
How Howard County compares
- HUD sets this rent for the Howard County, NE metro FMR area, which covers 6,534 residents in 1 county.
- Across Nebraska, 2-bedroom FMRs run from $1,014 (Wheeler County) to $1,450 (Cass County).
- Studio to 4-bedroom: $754, $924, $1,014, $1,260, $1,695. HUD derives the other sizes from the 2-bedroom figure with fixed ratios, adjusted where local data warrant.
- HUD also publishes ZIP-level Small Area FMRs. For the 6 ZIP codes mostly in Howard County (by land area), the 2-bedroom figure ranges from $1,010 to $1,320.
Small Area FMRs by ZIP code in Howard County
| ZIP | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 2BR vs FY 2026 | 2BR vs area FMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68820 | $750 | $920 | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,700 | +$50 (+5.2%) | about the same as |
| 68831 | $800 | $970 | $1,100 | $1,380 | $1,810 | −$80 (−6.8%) | 8% above |
| 68835 | $770 | $950 | $1,040 | $1,290 | $1,740 | +$10 (+1.0%) | 3% above |
| 68838 | $760 | $910 | $1,030 | $1,310 | $1,700 | +$10 (+1.0%) | 2% above |
| 68872 | $980 | $1,170 | $1,320 | $1,660 | $2,190 | +$50 (+3.9%) | 30% above |
| 68873 | $750 | $920 | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,700 | −$10 (−1.0%) | about the same as |
Sources
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD User Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 FMRs (file dated August 26, 2026) and FY 2026 FMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).
- HUD User Small Area Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 SAFMRs (file dated August 31, 2026) and FY 2026 SAFMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).
- ZIP-to-county assignment: Census Bureau 2020 ZCTA-to-county relationship file (file dated December 9, 2021), largest land-area overlap.
Fair Market Rents are HUD’s estimate of gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a modest unit, set at the 40th percentile of recent-mover rents. FY 2027 is HUD’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. Housing authorities set voucher payment standards from these figures; check yours.