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Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (FY2026)
HUD's official FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 | $1,063 | $957 – $1,169 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,109 | $998 – $1,220 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,318 | $1,186 – $1,450 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,794 | $1,615 – $1,973 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,841 | $1,657 – $2,025 |
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 $1,318 — 43% above the Iowa median of $919 across all 92 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
The Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA FMR area is a metro area covering: Dallas County, Guthrie County, Madison County, Polk County, Warren 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha-Council Bluffs | $1,148 | $1,368 | $1,813 |
| Sioux City | $925 | $1,154 | $1,386 |
| Ames | $1,026 | $1,153 | $1,601 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $928 | $1,143 | $1,498 |
| Iowa City | $961 | $1,141 | $1,587 |
| Dickinson County | $831 | $1,091 | $1,314 |
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Des Moines-West Des Moines.