County FMR · HUD FY2026

Buffalo County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Buffalo County, NE - 10% below the US average.

$863
1-bedroom FMR
$1,031
2-bedroom FMR
+10.9%
YoY change
-10%
vs US avg

The verdict

Buffalo is the 17th most expensive of 93 counties in Nebraska by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,573 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 10.9% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#1,573
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#17
most expensive of 93 in Nebraska (2BR)
+9%
vs the state average
$34,520
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.9%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (37.2%); nearby Nebraska counties range as much as 51% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Buffalo County, NE. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Buffalo County, Nebraska at $863 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,031/mo and a studio is $787/mo. This is 10% lower than the national average of $959 and 9% above the Nebraska average of $791.

Rent increased10.9% from FY 2025 ($778), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $34,520/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 37.3% of the 6,850 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Nebraska. Population: 50,103. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+2.6%, Census ACS). That's in line with Nebraska's statewide growth of +3.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area BUFFALO·COUNTY·NE·NE

Buffalo County, NE: $863/mo 1BR · #1573 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA NE
  • 1BR-FMR $863
  • 2BR-FMR $1,031
  • RANK-MID #1,573
  • YOY-SURGE +10.9%
  • VSUS-BELOW -10%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +9% NE
  • INC-ROOM 14%
  • POP-MID 50K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Douglas County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $777–$949
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Douglas ($285 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $706 · US avg: $893
$787/mo
↑ 20.9% YoY +11% vs state -12% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $791 · US avg: $959
$863/mo
↑ 10.9% YoY +9% vs state -10% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,001 · US avg: $1,175
$1,031/mo
↑ 9.6% YoY +3% vs state -12% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,274 · US avg: $1,525
$1,360/mo
↑ 8.5% YoY +7% vs state -11% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,409 · US avg: $1,756
$1,730/mo
↑ 9.5% YoY +23% vs state -1% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $651
$787
+$136 (+20.9%)
1 Bedroom $778
$863
+$85 (+10.9%)
2 Bedroom $941
$1,031
+$90 (+9.6%)
3 Bedroom $1,254
$1,360
+$106 (+8.5%)
4 Bedroom $1,580
$1,730
+$150 (+9.5%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Buffalo County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
12.7%
Affordable
Need $31,480/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
13.9%
Affordable
Need $34,520/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
16.6%
Affordable
Need $41,240/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
21.9%
Affordable
Need $54,400/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
27.8%
Affordable
Need $69,200/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%16.6%
Buffalo County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $74,570 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Nebraska rent burden →

Where Buffalo sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$1,031 higher than 50% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). This entry sits in this band. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Above this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Buffalo compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Nebraska counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Buffalo is highlighted. Nearby Nebraska counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Douglas County ($1,148), Sarpy County ($1,148), Hall County ($978), Lancaster County ($926), Buffalo County (this county) ($863), Dodge County ($861), Scotts Bluff County ($758).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $863/mo compares to Nebraska salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation NE Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $116,420 8.9% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $82,570 12.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,020 12.8% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $72,160 14.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $69,980 14.8% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $61,700 16.8% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,410 16.9% Affordable
Electricians $60,020 17.3% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,940 17.9% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $41,400 25% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $40,790 25.4% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $35,820 28.9% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $30,350 34.1% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,420 35.2% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $27,840 37.2% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Nebraska) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Buffalo County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Buffalo (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 45.5% overall, from $593 to $863. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.1% in FY 2023, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $863
Buffalo County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑10.9% $787 $863 $1,031
FY 2025 ↑2.6% $651 $778 $941
FY 2024 ↑6.5% $651 $758 $960
FY 2023 ↑12.1% $640 $712 $929
FY 2022 ↑0.6% $555 $635 $836
FY 2021 ↑6.4% $549 $631 $832
FY 2020 $509 $593 $781
Total change (6yr): +45.5%
Annualized: +6.5%/yr
1 BR: $593 → $863

Part of the Kearney, NE Micro Area

Buffalo County is a central county of the Kearney, NE micropolitan statistical area, alongside 1 other micro-area county.

Buffalo County ranks #1 of 2 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Buffalo County (this county) ($863), Kearney County ($757).

Buffalo County (this county)
1 BR: $863/mo
Kearney County
1 BR: $757/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Buffalo County, both outside Nebraska so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside NE (FY2026).

Ware County
GA · 2 BR $1,031/mo
San Saba County
TX · 2 BR $1,031/mo
Schuylkill County
PA · 2 BR $1,030/mo
Bay County
MI · 2 BR $1,030/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside NE).

Shelby County
KY · 16.6% of income · 2 BR $1,143/mo
Marion County
KS · 16.6% of income · 2 BR $877/mo
Dickey County
ND · 16.6% of income · 2 BR $873/mo
Ozaukee County
WI · 16.6% of income · 2 BR $1,338/mo

Nearby Counties in Nebraska

Largest counties by population in Nebraska

Showing the 8 largest of 92 other counties in Nebraska.

Douglas County
1 BR: $1,148/mo Pop: 582,638
Lancaster County
1 BR: $926/mo Pop: 322,063
Sarpy County
1 BR: $1,148/mo Pop: 191,272
Hall County
1 BR: $978/mo Pop: 62,575
Dodge County
1 BR: $861/mo Pop: 37,175
Scotts Bluff County
1 BR: $758/mo Pop: 36,048
Madison County
1 BR: $758/mo Pop: 35,538
Lincoln County
1 BR: $802/mo Pop: 34,532
View all counties in Nebraska →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Buffalo County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Buffalo County is $863 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,031 and a studio is $787.
How does Buffalo County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Buffalo County is 10% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $863 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Buffalo County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Buffalo County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,031 ranks #1,573 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Buffalo County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $34,520 ($2,877/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Buffalo County.
Is rent going up or down in Buffalo County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Buffalo County increased by 10.9% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $778 to $863.
Which jobs can afford rent in Buffalo County? ▼
Based on Nebraska BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $863/mo. 12 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Buffalo County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Buffalo County went from $593 in FY 2020 to $863 in FY 2026, a total change of +45.5% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Buffalo County? ▼
In Buffalo County, the FY 2026 FMR of $863/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Buffalo County? ▼
For Buffalo County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($863/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.