Location: Nemaha County, KS | Metro: Brown County, KS
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom | $760 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $960 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,210 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,600 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,856 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,079 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,245 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,357 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $960 | $132,767 | 0.72% | D |
| 3BR | $1,210 | $231,815 | 0.52% | F |
| 4BR | $1,600 | $282,506 | 0.57% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 66534, which encompasses Sabetha, KS, and Nemaha County, are defined by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) rather than a broader metro or county-level rate. For fiscal year 2026, the SAFMR for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code is set at $880 per month. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will reimburse landlords for rent.
In contrast, the local market rent for a two-bedroom unit, according to the Census American Community Survey (ACS), stands at $697 per month. This lower figure reflects the average rental price landlords might expect from tenants without vouchers.
To understand how much a landlord would actually receive from a voucher, it's important to break down the components. The voucher payment covers the difference between the tenant’s contribution and the SAFMR. Tenants are typically required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we assume an average adjusted income of $1,800 per month for a tenant in this area, the tenant portion would be $540 ($1,800 * 30%).
The total rent under the Section 8 program is thus composed of the tenant's contribution plus any applicable utility allowances. Utility allowances vary but can be estimated around $200 per month for a two-bedroom unit. Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord could expect is $740 ($540 tenant contribution + $200 utilities).
This leaves a gap between the SAFMR and the actual reimbursement. In ZIP 66534, the typical reimbursement gap for a two-bedroom apartment is $140 per month ($880 SAFMR - $740 reimbursement). This means landlords must decide whether they can accept a rent that is $140 less than the SAFMR or if they need to adjust their expectations based on the local market rent of $697.
Landlords should also consider that the SAFMR is designed to reflect the 40th percentile of rents for the area, meaning that 60% of similar units are rented for less. Thus, the SAFMR is not necessarily indicative of the highest possible rent in the area, but it does serve as a benchmark for what the government considers reasonable for subsidized housing.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 66534 who participate in the Section 8 program for a two-bedroom apartment can expect a reimbursement of $740 per month, given an average tenant contribution and utility allowance. This results in a $140 monthly gap compared to the SAFMR of $880, reflecting the economic realities of subsidized housing in this specific ZIP code.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.