Metro FMR area · IA · HUD FY 2027

Ames, IA Fair Market Rent

HUD’s FY 2027 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in the Ames, IA area is $1,061 a month, 5% below the Iowa average and 40% below the U.S. average of $1,761. ZIP-level Small Area FMRs for its 26 ZIP codes range from $930 to $1,350.

$1,0612-bedroom FMR−$92 (−8.0%) vs FY 2026
$9441-bedroom FMRU.S.: $1,478
$42,440Income for a 2-bedroomat 30% of income
100,466Residents1 county

Can you afford the Fair Market Rent here?

Uses the common 30%-of-gross-income guideline. Results update as you type and stay in your browser.

Household income ($ per year, before tax)

Default: the income a 2-bedroom here needs at 30%.

Unit size

Rent you can afford at 30% of income$1,061/month

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent and the income it needs
Area	Fair Market Rent	Income needed	Share of your income
Ames, IA FMR	$1,061	$42,440	–
Iowa average	$1,113	$44,509	–
U.S. average	$1,761	$70,432	–

Ames, IA Fair Market Rents, FY 2027 vs FY 2026
Unit	Ames, IA FY 2027	FY 2026	Change	Iowa avg	U.S. avg	Income needed
Studio	$891	$972	−$81 (−8.3%)	$846	$1,379	$35,640
1 bedroom	$944	$1,026	−$82 (−8.0%)	$902	$1,478	$37,760
2 bedrooms	$1,061	$1,153	−$92 (−8.0%)	$1,113	$1,761	$42,440
3 bedrooms	$1,469	$1,601	−$132 (−8.2%)	$1,475	$2,266	$58,760
4 bedrooms	$1,768	$1,934	−$166 (−8.6%)	$1,649	$2,607	$70,720

Counties in this FMR area

Counties in the Ames, IA FMR area
County	Residents in area
Story County, IA	100,466

Small Area FMRs by ZIP code

Small Area FMRs apply to Housing Choice Vouchers where HUD requires them or the housing authority opts in; otherwise the metro FMR above applies. The median ZIP’s 2-bedroom SAFMR is $1,040.

Filter ZIP codes

FY 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents, Ames, IA
ZIP	Studio	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR	2BR vs FY 2026	2BR vs area FMR
50010	$910	$960	$1,080	$1,500	$1,800	−$70 (−6.1%)	2% above
50011	$890	$940	$1,060	$1,470	$1,770	−$90 (−7.8%)	about the same as
50012	$990	$1,040	$1,180	$1,640	$1,960	−$90 (−7.1%)	11% above
50013	$1,000	$1,060	$1,200	$1,670	$1,990	−$100 (−7.7%)	13% above
50014	$1,010	$1,070	$1,210	$1,680	$2,010	−$100 (−7.6%)	14% above
50046	$960	$1,020	$1,160	$1,590	$1,860	−$60 (−4.9%)	9% above
50055	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$30 (+3.0%)	2% below
50056	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	−$90 (−8.0%)	2% below
50105	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	−$10 (−1.0%)	2% below
50122	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$80 (+8.3%)	2% below
50124	$1,140	$1,200	$1,350	$1,870	$2,250	+$50 (+3.8%)	27% above
50134	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	−$30 (−2.8%)	2% below
50154	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$80 (+8.3%)	2% below
50156	$790	$800	$990	$1,370	$1,480	−$30 (−2.9%)	7% below
50161	$830	$880	$1,000	$1,380	$1,610	+$20 (+2.0%)	6% below
50201	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$40 (+4.0%)	2% below
50206	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$80 (+8.3%)	2% below
50226	$750	$790	$930	$1,270	$1,300	−$100 (−9.7%)	12% below
50230	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$80 (+8.3%)	2% below
50236	$940	$1,000	$1,120	$1,550	$1,870	+$40 (+3.7%)	6% above
50239	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$30 (+3.0%)	2% below
50243	$1,060	$1,110	$1,300	$1,780	$1,940	+$20 (+1.6%)	23% above
50244	$780	$820	$930	$1,280	$1,520	−$50 (−5.1%)	12% below
50247	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	+$80 (+8.3%)	2% below
50248	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	no change	2% below
50278	$880	$930	$1,040	$1,450	$1,750	−$90 (−8.0%)	2% below

Sources

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD User Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 FMRs (file dated August 26, 2026) and FY 2026 FMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).
HUD User Small Area Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 SAFMRs (file dated August 31, 2026) and FY 2026 SAFMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).

Fair Market Rents are HUD’s estimate of gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a modest unit, set at the 40th percentile of recent-mover rents. FY 2027 is HUD’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. Housing authorities set voucher payment standards from these figures; check yours.