FMR Lookup › Iowa › Ames
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Ames, IA (FY2026)
HUD's official FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area, by bedroom count. These figures set the baseline for what the Housing Choice Voucher program pays landlords in this area.
| Unit size | FY2026 FMR | Payment standard range (90–110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $972 | $875 – $1,069 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,026 | $923 – $1,129 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,153 | $1,038 – $1,268 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,601 | $1,441 – $1,761 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,934 | $1,741 – $2,127 |
Source: HUD User — FY 2026 Fair Market Rents. FY2026 FMRs are effective October 1, 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
How this market compares
The 2-bedroom FMR here is $1,153 — 25% above the Iowa median of $919 across all 92 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
The Ames, IA FMR area is a metro area covering: Story County. One FMR applies across the whole area — HUD does not publish separate figures per city or ZIP here (some large metros have Small Area FMRs by ZIP; check with the local housing authority).
What a landlord actually collects
FMR is the baseline, not the contract rent. The local housing authority sets a payment standard between 90% and 110% of FMR (the range in the table above), and your unit must pass a rent-reasonableness comparison against similar unassisted rentals nearby. The voucher then covers the gap between the tenant's share (roughly 30% of their income) and the approved rent.
Run the numbers for a deal in Ames: Section 8 vs market rent, DSCR, or cash-on-cash return.
Comparable Iowa markets by 2BR FMR
| FMR area | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $925 | $1,154 | $1,386 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $928 | $1,143 | $1,498 |
| Iowa City | $961 | $1,141 | $1,587 |
| Dickinson County | $831 | $1,091 | $1,314 |
| Jefferson County | $826 | $1,084 | $1,300 |
| Dubuque | $841 | $1,077 | $1,450 |
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Ames.