Location: Dawson County, NE | Metro: Dawson County, NE
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 | $730 |
| 1 Bedroom | $830 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,290 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,340 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,554 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,740 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,879 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,973 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,010 | $122,933 | 0.82% | C |
| 3BR | $1,290 | $192,830 | 0.67% | D |
| 4BR | $1,340 | $249,991 | 0.54% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The rent math in ZIP 69130, located in Cozad, NE, within the Dawson County metro area, does not work in favor of landlords. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $960, whereas the actual market rent, according to the Census ACS, stands at $864. This discrepancy means that landlords may struggle to charge rents high enough to cover costs and maintain profitability.
Acquisition in this ZIP code is relatively affordable. With a median home value of $175,529, potential investors can acquire properties without needing substantial capital. However, the lack of data on days on market (DOM) and the low percentage of homes experiencing price cuts (0.1%) suggest that the housing market might be stable but not highly dynamic. This stability could indicate that the area is not experiencing rapid growth or decline, which might be beneficial for long-term investment but less so for quick flips or speculative gains.
Tenant demand is present but limited. The population of 69130 is 5,004, with 32.4% of residents being renters. This indicates a moderate number of potential tenants, though the small population size means that the overall pool of renters is also small. Landlords should be prepared for a potentially competitive rental market given the fixed number of available units and the proportion of renters.
In conclusion, while the acquisition cost in ZIP 69130 is affordable, the rent math does not work in favor of landlords due to the lower market rent compared to the FMR. Tenant demand exists but is constrained by the small population size, which limits the potential pool of renters. For small-portfolio investors and landlords looking for stable, long-term investments, this ZIP code could be considered, but they must be aware of the challenges posed by the rent gap and limited tenant pool.
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.