Location: Des Moines County, IA | Metro: Des Moines 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 | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $850 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,110 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,540 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,786 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,000 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,160 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,268 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $850 | $62,972 | 1.35% | A |
| 2BR | $1,110 | $103,189 | 1.08% | B |
| 3BR | $1,450 | $145,308 | 1% | C |
| 4BR | $1,540 | $178,280 | 0.86% | C |
| 5BR | $1,786 | $261,522 | 0.68% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
124,206 is the median home value in ZIP 52601, Burlington, IA, indicating a relatively affordable housing market. However, the 26.8% renter share shows a significant portion of the population prefers renting over buying, which can be beneficial for landlords. The $858 market rent (ZORI) suggests that rental properties are priced competitively, offering a good return on investment. For comparison, the $1,080 FMR (fair market rent) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 provides an upper limit for what tenants might pay. Landlords should also note the 57-day DOM (days on market), which is a reasonable timeframe for finding tenants. Additionally, the 0.2% price-cut share indicates that rental prices in this area are generally stable and rarely require adjustment. With a median income of $60,983, residents have sufficient earnings to support their housing costs, making the area attractive for rental investments. The combination of these factors, including the fair market rent, competitive market rents, and stable pricing, makes ZIP 52601 a viable option for Section 8 investments.
The verdict for Section 8 investments in ZIP 52601 is positive, given the supportive economic indicators and the balance between market rents and the fair market rent threshold.
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.