Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$68,354$5,696 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Merrick County, NE
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Merrick County, NE
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Merrick County, NE HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $689 | $8,268 | $27,560 | 12.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $732 | $8,784 | $29,280 | 12.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $961 | $11,532 | $38,440 | 16.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,323 | $15,876 | $52,920 | 23.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,612 | $19,344 | $64,480 | 28.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Merrick County, NE
Based on the local median household income of $68,354/year ($5,696/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Nebraska
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Nebraska state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Nebraska with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Merrick County, NE
What is the median household income in Merrick County, NE?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Merrick County, NE is $68,354 per year (approximately $5,696 per month).
What is the average rent in Merrick County, NE?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Merrick County, NE are $689 for a studio, $732 for 1 bedroom, $961 for 2 bedrooms, $1,323 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,612 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Merrick County, NE compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Merrick County, NE is 86.7 (13.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Merrick County, NE?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($961/month) in Merrick County, NE requires a minimum gross household income of $38,440 per year ($3,203 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Merrick County, NE?
For a typical household earning the median income of $68,354/year ($5,696/month) in Merrick County, NE, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,848/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,709/month to discretionary spending, and $1,139/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Merrick County, NE?
Residential electricity rates in Nebraska average 13.3¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $119 per month.