Fair Market Rent in Merrimack County, New Hampshire (2026)

The typical household in Merrimack County earns $88,806 a year, comfortably above the $78,960 needed to afford a 2-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent under the 30%-of-income rule.

Unit sizeFair Market Rent
Studio$1,361
1 Bedroom$1,504
2 Bedroom$1,974
3 Bedroom$2,604
4 Bedroom$2,614

Can you afford to rent here?

Enter your annual household income. We'll use the standard 30%-of-income rule to show which bedroom sizes fit your budget in Merrimack County.

HUD Fair Market Rent vs. Census median rent

HUD 2BR Fair Market Rent$1,974
Census median gross rent (all units)$1,199

Census median rent runs at 60.7% of the HUD 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Merrimack County.

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FAQ

What is Fair Market Rent?

Fair Market Rent (FMR) is HUD's official estimate of the rent, plus utilities, for a standard-quality rental unit in Merrimack County. HUD recalculates it every year and uses it to set payment standards for housing choice vouchers.

How much income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Merrimack County?

Using the standard rule that rent should not exceed 30% of income, a household needs about $78,960 a year to afford the 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,974 a month.

How does Fair Market Rent compare to actual median rent?

The Census Bureau's median gross rent for Merrimack County is $1,199 a month, versus HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,974. The two measure different things, so some gap is normal.

Source: HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).