Iowa Fair Market Rent (FY2026)
Midwest region · 92 HUD FMR areas
In FY2026, Iowa has 92 HUD Fair Market Rent areas with a median 2-bedroom FMR of $919/month. Across the state, the 2-bedroom FMR ranges from $919 (Allamakee County, IA) to $1,368 (Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA). That median is $56 below the national median FMR of $975, ranking Iowa #41 of 51 states (1 = most expensive). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median.
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Iowa median FMR by bedroom size
| Unit size | Median FMR (per month) |
|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $682 |
| 1-bedroom | $736 |
| 2-bedroom | $919 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,222 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,342 |
These are medians across the state's areas; an individual metro can be much higher or lower. The population-weighted average 2-bedroom FMR (weighting each area by its population) is $1,097.
Every FMR area in Iowa
| FMR area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | $1,090 | $1,148 | $1,368 | $1,813 | $2,046 |
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Detailed pages: Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fair Market Rent in Iowa for FY2026?
Iowa has 92 HUD Fair Market Rent areas. The median 2-bedroom FMR across them is $919 per month, ranging from $919 (Allamakee County, IA) to $1,368 (Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA). HUD sets FMRs by metro/county, not statewide, so use the area closest to where you live. Verify at huduser.gov.
Which Iowa area has the highest and lowest FMR?
In FY2026 the highest 2-bedroom FMR in Iowa is $1,368 in Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA, and the lowest is $919 in Allamakee County, IA. Rents are highest in the largest metros and lowest in rural counties.
Is Iowa expensive for renters compared with other states?
Iowa's median 2-bedroom FMR of $919 is $56 below the national median FMR of $975 (-6%). It ranks #41 of 51 states and DC by median 2-bedroom FMR (1 = most expensive).
How does FMR relate to Section 8 vouchers in Iowa?
Public housing agencies in Iowa set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards at roughly 90–110% of the local FMR. Your subsidy covers the gap between that standard and about 30% of your adjusted income. Contact the PHA for your county for exact figures.
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Source & accuracy
FY2026 Fair Market Rents, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development — HUD USER (public domain). State medians and ranges are computed over HUD's area-level FMRs (see methodology). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median; verify on huduser.gov.
Last updated: 2026-06-20