Location: Allamakee County, IA | Metro: Allamakee County, IA
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $690 |
| 1 Bedroom | $760 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $930 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,280 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,470 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,705 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,063 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,166 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $930 | $245,906 | 0.38% | F |
| 3BR | $1,280 | $311,356 | 0.41% | F |
| 4BR | $1,470 | $375,021 | 0.39% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The rent math for ZIP 52151, Lansing, IA, does not work favorably for landlords or small-portfolio investors. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $920, whereas the actual market rent based on Census ACS data stands at $579. This discrepancy indicates that tenants are paying significantly less than what is considered fair market value, leaving little room for profit unless expenses are kept extremely low.
Acquisition in ZIP 52151 is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $272,626. However, the lack of data on days on market (DOM) and the percentage of homes requiring price cuts suggests that the local real estate market may be sluggish, making it difficult to sell properties quickly or without adjustments to asking prices.
Tenant demand is limited in ZIP 52151. With a total population of 1,886, only 16.8% are renters. This means there are approximately 317 potential rental households, which could make finding and retaining tenants challenging given the small pool of prospective renters.
Based on these factors, ZIP 52151 presents a challenging environment for landlords and small-portfolio investors. The disparity between FMR and actual market rents, combined with a limited number of rental households, suggests that profitability and tenant stability may be issues. While property acquisition is affordable, the broader economic conditions and low demand for rentals indicate that investment returns will likely be modest at best.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.