Merced County, CA

Section 8 Fair Market Rents · FY 2026

Fair Market Rents by bedroom size

HUD sets FMRs annually. Local PHAs set their payment standards at 90–110% of FMR (higher with HUD approval) — the ranges below are estimates; confirm with the housing authority.

Bedroom sizeFair Market RentEst. payment standard range
Studio$1,116/mo$1,004 – $1,228/mo
1 BR$1,213/mo$1,092 – $1,334/mo
2 BR$1,503/mo$1,353 – $1,653/mo
3 BR$2,067/mo$1,860 – $2,274/mo
4 BR$2,503/mo$2,253 – $2,753/mo

Fair Market Rent by unit size — Merced County, CA (FY 2026)

Source: HUD FY 2026 data for Merced County. Payment standard ranges shown are 90–110% of FMR; actual standards vary by housing authority.

Housing authority serving Merced County

For Renters

Am I eligible?

To qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher in Merced County, your household's gross annual income generally must be at or below the limits below (50% of area median income, as set by HUD). Most agencies are required to prioritize applicants at or below 30% AMI for at least 75% of new vouchers.

Household sizeMax gross annual income
1 person$34,000
2 people$38,850
3 people$43,700
4 people$48,550
5 people$52,450
6 people$56,350
7 people$60,250
8 people$64,100

Source: HUD Income Limits, 2026. Meeting the income limit does not guarantee a voucher — waiting lists, local preferences, and funding levels vary by housing authority. Learn more about eligibility →

For Renters

Income-restricted housing in Merced County

These properties were built or rehabilitated using the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and must rent a portion of units below market rate. Many, but not all, accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers — contact the property directly to confirm current availability and voucher acceptance.

Source: HUD LIHTC Public-Use Database. Properties shown were placed in service within the last 35 years and may still be under compliance obligations. Verify availability, income limits, and voucher acceptance directly with each property. More on finding affordable housing →

Estimate your voucher payment

Enter a Merced County ZIP code in the Voucher Payment Estimator for a personalized rent and subsidy estimate based on local FMR data.

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Investor: find your price ceiling

Use the Property Budget Calculator to find the max purchase price that hits your target return on a Section 8 unit in this market.

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More about Section 8 in California