For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Merkel, TX is $1,500 a month. That is up 2.7% from $1,460 in FY 2026. Merkel is in the Abilene, TX MSA. HUD also publishes the ZIP-level Small Area FMRs shown here, but unless the local housing authority has adopted them, vouchers are based on the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $1,310. The median county two-bedroom FMR in Texas is $1,105, so Merkel is 36% above it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for Merkel, TX
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$1,160
$1,100
−5.2%
$990–$1,210
1BR
$1,170
$1,200
+2.6%
$1,080–$1,320
2BR
$1,460
$1,500
+2.7%
$1,350–$1,650
3BR
$1,890
$1,950
+3.2%
$1,755–$2,145
4BR
$2,270
$2,310
+1.8%
$2,079–$2,541
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for Merkel, TX
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$1,100
$1,200
$1,500
$1,950
$2,310
FY 2026
$1,160
$1,170
$1,460
$1,890
$2,270
FY 2025
$1,070
$1,080
$1,370
$1,780
$2,160
FY 2024
$930
$950
$1,210
$1,610
$1,940
FY 2023
$750
$800
$1,030
$1,390
$1,690
Questions about Merkel, TX rents
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in Merkel, TX?
Housing authorities set voucher payment standards, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR. With the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $1,310, which applies unless the housing authority uses Small Area FMRs, that basic range is $1,179 to $1,441 a month; under the ZIP-level Small Area FMR of $1,500 it would be $1,350 to $1,650. The voucher pays the lower of the payment standard or the gross rent, minus the tenant's share, which is usually about 30% of adjusted monthly income. Confirm the local housing authority's current schedule before underwriting.
Which HUD fair market rent area is Merkel, TX in?
Merkel, TX is in the Abilene, TX MSA. Small Area FMRs are optional here; the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR is $1,310.
How much did fair market rent change in Merkel, TX for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 2.7%, from $1,460 in FY 2026 to $1,500 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 45.6%.
When do FY 2027 fair market rents take effect?
HUD's FY 2027 fair market rents took effect on October 1, 2026. When FMRs change, housing authorities generally have up to three months to bring payment standards back within 90% to 110% of the new FMR.
Source: HUD FY 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents and area FMRs. Payment-standard ranges are 90% to 110% of FMR, HUD's basic range, not a housing authority's published schedule. How payment standards are set