Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Buchanan County, Iowa
Buchanan County has a HUD fair market rent of $937 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $848 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $18.02 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $937
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 16% less than in Iowa
- Typical rent
- $848
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 13% less than in Iowa
- Wage needed
- $18.02
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $37,480 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 37%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 16% less than in Iowa
Only here
Renting in Buchanan County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
At 82%, Buchanan County ranks 10th among the 99 counties in Iowa for the highest homeownership rate.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Buchanan County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $712 | $13.69 | $28,480 |
| 1 bedroom | $716 | $13.77 | $28,640 |
| 2 bedrooms | $937 | $18.02 | $37,480 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,297 | $24.94 | $51,880 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,522 | $29.27 | $60,880 |
HUD area: Buchanan County, IA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 18 ZIP codes in Buchanan County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 50641 to $1,120 in 50682. 15 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($937).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 50607 | Buchanan County, IA | $790 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,430 | $1,660 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50607 | Fayette County, IA | $790 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,430 | $1,660 |
| 50629 | Bremer County, IA | $690 | $730 | $950 | $1,260 | $1,590 |
| 50629 | Buchanan County, IA | $690 | $730 | $950 | $1,260 | $1,590 |
| 50629 | Fayette County, IA | $690 | $730 | $950 | $1,260 | $1,590 |
| 50629 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $690 | $730 | $950 | $1,260 | $1,590 |
| 50641 | Buchanan County, IA | $700 | $710 | $930 | $1,280 | $1,510 |
| 50644 | Buchanan County, IA | $700 | $710 | $930 | $1,280 | $1,510 |
| 50650 | Buchanan County, IA | $810 | $820 | $1,070 | $1,470 | $1,720 |
| 50650 | Delaware County, IA | $810 | $820 | $1,070 | $1,470 | $1,720 |
| 50650 | Fayette County, IA | $810 | $820 | $1,070 | $1,470 | $1,720 |
| 50654 | Buchanan County, IA | $780 | $840 | $1,040 | $1,390 | $1,710 |
| 50654 | Delaware County, IA | $780 | $840 | $1,040 | $1,390 | $1,710 |
| 50682 | Buchanan County, IA | $850 | $860 | $1,120 | $1,550 | $1,820 |
| 52210 | Benton County, IA | $820 | $830 | $1,080 | $1,500 | $1,750 |
| 52210 | Buchanan County, IA | $820 | $830 | $1,080 | $1,500 | $1,750 |
| 52326 | Buchanan County, IA | $700 | $710 | $930 | $1,280 | $1,510 |
| 52329 | Buchanan County, IA | $740 | $750 | $980 | $1,350 | $1,590 |
- 50607 · Buchanan County, IA $1,040$1,430
- 50607 · Fayette County, IA $1,040$1,430
- 50629 · Bremer County, IA $950$1,260
- 50629 · Buchanan County, IA $950$1,260
- 50629 · Fayette County, IA $950$1,260
- 50629 · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA $950$1,260
- 50641 · Buchanan County, IA $930$1,280
- 50644 · Buchanan County, IA $930$1,280
- 50650 · Buchanan County, IA $1,070$1,470
- 50650 · Delaware County, IA $1,070$1,470
- 50650 · Fayette County, IA $1,070$1,470
- 50654 · Buchanan County, IA $1,040$1,390
- 50654 · Delaware County, IA $1,040$1,390
- 50682 · Buchanan County, IA $1,120$1,550
- 52210 · Benton County, IA $1,080$1,500
- 52210 · Buchanan County, IA $1,080$1,500
- 52326 · Buchanan County, IA $930$1,280
- 52329 · Buchanan County, IA $980$1,350
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Buchanan County, 37% of renter households are in that position; in Iowa, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
37%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,475 households rent in Buchanan County
- Spend half or more of their income 13%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 23%
- Spend less than 30% 63%
Compared with the state and the country
- Buchanan 37%
- Iowa 44%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Buchanan County
HUD lists 1 property with homes for low-income households in Buchanan County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC).
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 1
16 homes in all; 15 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Wapsie Valley Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 201 16th Ave NW, Independence 50644 16 homes, 15 low-income · In service since 1992
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Buchanan County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. A public housing agency runs it. HUD lists none with an office in Buchanan County; the state's agencies can help you. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
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Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
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Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
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If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
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When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
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Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $20,900 | $34,800 | $55,650 |
| 2 people | $23,850 | $39,800 | $63,600 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $44,750 | $71,550 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $49,700 | $79,500 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $53,700 | $85,900 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $57,700 | $92,250 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $61,650 | $98,600 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $65,650 | $104,950 |
Area median income: $99,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Buchanan County, IA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $641 – $783
- 1 bedroom $644 – $788
- 2 bedrooms $843 – $1,031
- 3 bedrooms $1,167 – $1,427
- 4 bedrooms $1,370 – $1,674
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Buchanan County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
Your rights as a tenant in Iowa
What Iowa law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 2 months of rent
- Iowa Code §562A.12(1)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- Iowa Code §562A.12(3)(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- Iowa Code §562A.27(2)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- Iowa Code §562A.34(2)
- Only a court order can remove youIowa Code §562A.33
- Repair and deduct from the rentIowa Code §562A.27(4)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Buchanan County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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CCCS of Rochester-Northeastern Iowa
1003 W 4th St, Waterloo · 26 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 3 more
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Family Management Financial Solutions, Inc.
2310 Falls Ave Ste 4, Waterloo · 27 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 3 more
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Horizons, A Family Service Alliance (horizons Cccs)
819 5th St SE, Cedar Rapids · 35 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 10 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Buchanan County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Iowa, the average home bill was $112 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$1,874
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $937
- Security deposit
- $937
- Total
- $1,874
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Buchanan County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $712; 1 bedroom: $716; 2 bedrooms: $937; 3 bedrooms: $1,297; 4 bedrooms: $1,522. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Buchanan County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($937) without spending more than 30% of income takes $18.02 an hour full time, or $37,480 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Buchanan County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $49,700 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Buchanan County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $843 and $1,031 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Buchanan County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 50641 to $1,120 in 50682. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Buchanan County?
HUD lists 1 property with homes for low-income households in Buchanan County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC). For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Buchanan County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Buchanan County, 37% of renter households are in that position; in Iowa, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).