What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area is $956 per month for fiscal year 2026. The studio FMR is $659, 1-bedroom is $729, 3-bedroom is $1,209, and 4-bedroom is $1,348.

What income do you need to afford the FMR in Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area?

Using the standard 30%-of-income affordability rule, a household would need to earn about $38,240 per year ($3,187 per month) to afford the FY2026 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $956 in Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area.

FY2026 Fair Market Rents — Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area

The HUD-published Fair Market Rents for FY2026 in this area are:

Studio

$659

1BR

$729

2BR

$956

3BR

$1,209

4BR

$1,348

Hours/week at min wage

102 hrs

to afford the 2BR FMR @ $7.25/hr (federal)

YoY change (2BR)

+9%

+$79 vs FY2025 · 5-yr +33.7%

Voucher payment standard

$860–$1,052

PHAs set HCV payment at 90–110% of the 2BR FMR

Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area

Non-Metropolitan area · IA · View full history · Income limits · LIHTC rents

FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Bedroom Size	Monthly FMR	Annual Equivalent
Efficiency (Studio)	$659	$7,908
1-Bedroom	$729	$8,748
2-Bedroom	$956	$11,472
3-Bedroom	$1,209	$14,508
4-Bedroom	$1,348	$16,176

Recent 2-Bedroom FMR Trend

FY2020 $687 → FY2026 $956

Fiscal Year	Studio	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
FY2026	$659	$729	$956	$1,209	$1,348
FY2025	$601	$668	$877	$1,140	$1,284
FY2024	$584	$656	$862	$1,140	$1,257
FY2023	$600	$604	$795	$1,073	$1,128
FY2022	$558	$562	$739	$1,001	$1,099
FY2021	$472	$545	$715	$935	$1,072
FY2020	$470	$535	$687	$882	$1,018

View full FMR history back to FY2000 →

FY2026 Income Limits

Area Median Income (AMI): $113,100

AMI Level	1p	2p	3p	4p	5p	6p
30% AMI (Extremely Low)	$23,800	$27,200	$30,600	$33,950	$38,680	$44,360
50% AMI (Very Low)	$39,600	$45,250	$50,900	$56,550	$61,100	$65,600
80% AMI (Low)	$63,350	$72,400	$81,450	$90,500	$97,750	$105,000

Full income limits table (all 8 household sizes) →

Affordability Snapshot

2BR Annual FMR

$11,472/yr

FMR as % of Area Median Income

10.1% of AMI

Under 30% — affordable at median income

Income Needed (30% rule, 2BR)

$38,240/yr

$3,187/mo gross income

FY2026 LIHTC Maximum Rents

Maximum gross rents for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units, by income band. Full LIHTC details →

AMI Band	Studio	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
50% AMI Maximum	$989	$1,131	$1,272	$1,526	$1,639
60% AMI Maximum	$1,187	$1,357	$1,526	$1,832	$1,967

FY2026 HOME Program Rent Limits

Maximum rents for HOME Investment Partnerships–funded units. High HOME rents apply to most assisted units; Low HOME rents apply to the lowest-income set-aside units. Full HOME rent details →

Limit Type	Studio	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
High HOME Rent	$659	$729	$956	$1,209	$1,348
Low HOME Rent	$990	$1,131	$1,272	$1,413	$1,527

Compare Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area With Other IA Metros

vs. Ames, IA MSA vs. Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area vs. Boone County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area vs. Bremer County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area vs. Cedar Rapids, IA HUD Metro FMR Area