Location: Buchanan County, IA | Metro: Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area
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 | $820 |
| 1 Bedroom | $830 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,080 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,500 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,750 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,030 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,274 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,456 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,579 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,500 | $260,760 | 0.58% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The market analysis for Section 8 investors targeting ZIP code 52210 reveals that voucher tenants will cashflow marginally at the Fair Market Rent (FMR) rate set by HUD at $860 per month for fiscal year 2024. This figure falls below the market rent of $975 per month, as reported by the Census ACS, indicating that landlords might need to seek slightly higher rents to fully cover costs.
To further contextualize these numbers, consider the median home value in ZIP 52210, which stands at $254,252. This yields a rent-to-price ratio of approximately 0.34%, calculated by dividing the monthly rent ($975) by the median home value ($254,252) and multiplying by 12 months. A low rent-to-price ratio suggests that rental income alone may not be sufficient to justify the investment in property value, potentially making it less attractive for buy-and-hold strategies.
The data does not provide specific figures for the median Days on Market (DOM) or the percentage of homes that experienced price cuts during the listing period. However, these metrics can significantly influence the decision-making process for investors. If the DOM is high and the price-cut share is substantial, it indicates a challenging market for selling homes, possibly favoring rental investments over flipping properties.
The strongest angle for investors in ZIP 52210 is likely to be stability. Given the marginal cashflow potential and the established rent-to-price ratio, the focus should be on maintaining consistent rental income and avoiding speculative risks associated with rapid appreciation or volatile rental markets.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.