Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Buena Vista County, Iowa
Buena Vista County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,031 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $894 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.83 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,031
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 7% less than in Iowa
- Typical rent
- $894
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 8% less than in Iowa
- Wage needed
- $19.83
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $41,240 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 30%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 32% less than in Iowa
Only here
Renting in Buena Vista County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Buena Vista County has the highest typical rent in its area: $894, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Pocahontas County ($832).
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 Buena Vista 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 | $781 | $15.02 | $31,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $788 | $15.15 | $31,520 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,031 | $19.83 | $41,240 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,284 | $24.69 | $51,360 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,355 | $26.06 | $54,200 |
HUD area: Buena Vista 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 16 ZIP codes in Buena Vista County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 50568 to $1,320 in 50592. 7 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,031).
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)
| 50510 | Buena Vista County, IA | $720 | $720 | $950 | $1,180 | $1,250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50510 | Pocahontas County, IA | $720 | $720 | $950 | $1,180 | $1,250 |
| 50565 | Buena Vista County, IA | $800 | $800 | $1,050 | $1,310 | $1,380 |
| 50565 | Clay County, IA | $800 | $800 | $1,050 | $1,310 | $1,380 |
| 50568 | Buena Vista County, IA | $710 | $720 | $930 | $1,150 | $1,220 |
| 50568 | Pocahontas County, IA | $710 | $720 | $930 | $1,150 | $1,220 |
| 50568 | Sac County, IA | $710 | $720 | $930 | $1,150 | $1,220 |
| 50576 | Buena Vista County, IA | $810 | $820 | $1,070 | $1,340 | $1,400 |
| 50585 | Buena Vista County, IA | $700 | $710 | $930 | $1,170 | $1,220 |
| 50585 | Clay County, IA | $700 | $710 | $930 | $1,170 | $1,220 |
| 50588 | Buena Vista County, IA | $780 | $790 | $1,030 | $1,280 | $1,350 |
| 50588 | Sac County, IA | $780 | $790 | $1,030 | $1,280 | $1,350 |
| 50592 | Buena Vista County, IA | $1,000 | $1,010 | $1,320 | $1,640 | $1,730 |
| 51002 | Buena Vista County, IA | $840 | $850 | $1,110 | $1,380 | $1,460 |
| 51002 | Cherokee County, IA | $840 | $850 | $1,110 | $1,380 | $1,460 |
| 51002 | Sac County, IA | $840 | $850 | $1,110 | $1,380 | $1,460 |
- 50510 · Buena Vista County, IA $950$1,180
- 50510 · Pocahontas County, IA $950$1,180
- 50565 · Buena Vista County, IA $1,050$1,310
- 50565 · Clay County, IA $1,050$1,310
- 50568 · Buena Vista County, IA $930$1,150
- 50568 · Pocahontas County, IA $930$1,150
- 50568 · Sac County, IA $930$1,150
- 50576 · Buena Vista County, IA $1,070$1,340
- 50585 · Buena Vista County, IA $930$1,170
- 50585 · Clay County, IA $930$1,170
- 50588 · Buena Vista County, IA $1,030$1,280
- 50588 · Sac County, IA $1,030$1,280
- 50592 · Buena Vista County, IA $1,320$1,640
- 51002 · Buena Vista County, IA $1,110$1,380
- 51002 · Cherokee County, IA $1,110$1,380
- 51002 · Sac County, IA $1,110$1,380
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 Buena Vista County, 30% 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.
30%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,021 households rent in Buena Vista County
- Spend half or more of their income 16%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 14%
- Spend less than 30% 70%
Compared with the state and the country
- Buena Vista 30%
- Iowa 44%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Buena Vista County
HUD lists 7 properties with homes for low-income households in Buena Vista County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 4
- HUD-assisted
- 3
269 homes in all; 259 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Storm Lake Senior Apartments HUD-assisted 210 E 13th St, Storm Lake 50588 82 low-income homes · For older adults · (712) 732-1425
- 10th Street Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 1101 Ontario St, Storm Lake 50588 42 low-income homes · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 26 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Seneca Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 1405 Seneca St, Storm Lake 50588 48 homes, 40 low-income · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 1996 · For people with disabilities, families
- The Reserves at Storm Lake Tax credit (LIHTC) 1500 Seneca St, Storm Lake 50588 32 homes, 31 low-income · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2014 · For families
- Lakeview Manor HUD-assisted 904 E Milwaukee Ave, Storm Lake 50588 25 homes, 24 low-income · For older adults · (712) 732-1126
- Northpark Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1724 E Milwaukee Ave, Storm Lake 50588 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 2006 · For families
- Quality Life, Inc. HUD-assisted 1621 Violet Ln, Storm Lake 50588 16 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (712) 732-5038
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 Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista 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 | $20,350 | $33,950 | $54,250 |
| 2 people | $23,250 | $38,800 | $62,000 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $43,650 | $69,750 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $48,450 | $77,500 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $52,350 | $83,700 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $56,250 | $89,900 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $60,100 | $96,100 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $64,000 | $102,300 |
Area median income: $96,900. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Buena Vista County, IA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $703 – $859
- 1 bedroom $709 – $867
- 2 bedrooms $928 – $1,134
- 3 bedrooms $1,156 – $1,412
- 4 bedrooms $1,220 – $1,491
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 Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Buena Vista County. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Buena Vista 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
$2,062
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,031
- Security deposit
- $1,031
- Total
- $2,062
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 Buena Vista County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $781; 1 bedroom: $788; 2 bedrooms: $1,031; 3 bedrooms: $1,284; 4 bedrooms: $1,355. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Buena Vista County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,031) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.83 an hour full time, or $41,240 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Buena Vista County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $48,450 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 Buena Vista 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 $928 and $1,134 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Buena Vista County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 50568 to $1,320 in 50592. 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 Buena Vista County?
HUD lists 7 properties with homes for low-income households in Buena Vista County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. 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 Buena Vista County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Buena Vista County, 30% of renter households are in that position; in Iowa, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).