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Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in Pottawattamie County, Iowa

Pottawattamie County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,450 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,018 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $27.88 an hour, full time.

Figure your move-in cash Section 8 here
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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,450
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
30% more than in Iowa
Typical rent
$1,018
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
5% more than in Iowa
Wage needed
$27.88
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $58,000 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
45%
spend 30% or more of income on rent
2% more than in Iowa

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in Pottawattamie County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Pottawattamie County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,018, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Mills County ($959).

  2. Pottawattamie County has the 5th highest typical rent of the 99 counties in Iowa ($1,018).

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 Pottawattamie 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)

According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Pottawattamie County was $1,327 a month in September 2026: 3.3% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $1,167 $22.44 $46,680
1 bedroom $1,219 $23.44 $48,760
2 bedrooms $1,450 $27.88 $58,000
3 bedrooms $1,924 $37.00 $76,960
4 bedrooms $2,179 $41.90 $87,160

HUD area: Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 20 ZIP codes in Pottawattamie County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 51525 to $1,460 in 51510. 1 ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,450).

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)

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Rent burden

How many households spend too much

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Pottawattamie County, 45% 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.

45%

of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.

11,331 households rent in Pottawattamie County

  • Spend half or more of their income 22%
  • Spend 30% or more, but less than half 23%
  • Spend less than 30% 55%

Compared with the state and the country

  • Pottawattamie 45%
  • Iowa 44%
  • United States 51%

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Pottawattamie County

HUD lists 36 properties with homes for low-income households in Pottawattamie County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.

with tax credits (LIHTC)
24
HUD-assisted
12
public housing
2

2,031 homes in all; 1,889 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • Regal Towers Public housing 505 S 6th St, Council Bluffs 51501 210 homes, 209 low-income · Run by Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs · Average payment: $326 a month · Average wait: 5 months · (712) 322-1491
  • Featherstone Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 901 N 35th St, Council Bluffs 51501 147 low-income homes · 1 bd: 21 · 2 bd: 65 · 3 bd: 47 · 4 bd: 14 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families · (712) 323-7555
  • The Bluffs Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 2065 Nash Blvd, Council Bluffs 51501 124 low-income homes · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 80 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 1996
  • Chapel Ridge of Council Bluffs Tax credit (LIHTC) 4506 Chapel Ridge Ln, Council Bluffs 51501 160 homes, 112 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 88 · 3 bd: 48 · 4 bd: 8 · In service since 2004 · For families
  • Woodbury Pines Townhomes HUD-assisted 534 Woodbury Ave, Council Bluffs 51503 100 low-income homes · For families · (712) 323-0383
  • North Avenue Tower HUD-assisted 103 North Ave, Council Bluffs 51503 100 homes, 92 low-income · For older adults · (712) 323-0684
  • Western Trails Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 3201 Renner Dr, Council Bluffs 51501 90 low-income homes · 2 bd: 45 · 3 bd: 45 · In service since 1997 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Dudley Court Public housing 201 N 25th St, Council Bluffs 51501 85 low-income homes · Run by Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs · Average payment: $384 a month · Average wait: 4 months · (712) 322-1491
  • The Bluffs Apts Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 2095 Nash Blvd, Council Bluffs 51501 78 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 54 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1996 · For families
  • The Rose of Council Bluffs Tax credit (LIHTC) 2306 Sherwood Dr, Council Bluffs 51503 76 low-income homes · 1 bd: 71 · 2 bd: 5 · In service since 2011 · For older adults
  • Bluffs Towers Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 38 Pearl St, Council Bluffs 51503 70 low-income homes · Studio: 39 · 1 bd: 29 · 2 bd: 1 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2018 · For older adults · (712) 322-9392
  • Northgate Townhomes HUD-assisted 1222 N 31st St, Council Bluffs 51501 66 homes, 58 low-income · For families · (402) 345-3625
  • Prime Square Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 822 S Main St, Council Bluffs 51503 80 homes, 56 low-income · 1 bd: 50 · 2 bd: 30 · In service since 2008 · For older adults
  • Graceview Courtyard (immanuel Elderly Housing II) Tax credit (LIHTC) 1681 College Rd, Council Bluffs 51503 56 low-income homes · 1 bd: 28 · 2 bd: 28 · In service since 2020 · For older adults
  • Maple Park Apartments - Council Bluffs HUD-assisted 3524 2nd Ave, Council Bluffs 51501 51 low-income homes · For older adults · (712) 322-8977
  • Parkwild II Tax credit (LIHTC) 649 Parkwild Dr, Council Bluffs 51503 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 37 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Beacon Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 2400 S 19th St, Council Bluffs 51501 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 3 · 2 bd: 31 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2013 · For families
  • Kanesville Heights HUD-assisted 2310 Sherwood Dr, Council Bluffs 51503 37 low-income homes · For older adults · (712) 256-5608
  • Harvester Artist Lofts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1000 S Main St, Council Bluffs 51503 36 low-income homes · Studio: 2 · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 19 · 3 bd: 5 · In service since 2010 · For families
  • Camelot Village HUD-assisted 1105 S 3rd St, Council Bluffs 51503 36 homes, 35 low-income · For older adults · (712) 328-2525
  • Sherwood Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 2331 Sherwood Dr, Council Bluffs 51503 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2001 · For families
  • Bennett Building Tax credit (LIHTC) 405 W Broadway, Council Bluffs 51503 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 15 · In service since 2001 · For older adults
  • Plains View Apartments HUD-assisted 2431 Avenue N, Council Bluffs 51501 30 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (402) 952-4579
  • Thornbury Way Tax credit (LIHTC) 1951 Nash Blvd, Council Bluffs 51501 30 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 6 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2004 · For families
  • Western Trails II Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 3201 Renner Dr, Council Bluffs 51501 30 low-income homes · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 1999 · For older adults, people with disabilities
  • New Visions Center Tax credit (LIHTC) 1435 N 15th St, Council Bluffs 51501 26 low-income homes · Studio: 26 · In service since 2008 · For families
  • Salisbury Court Tax credit (LIHTC) 1831 Nash Blvd, Council Bluffs 51501 18 low-income homes · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2006 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Dara Investment Tax credit (LIHTC) 3213 12th Ave, Council Bluffs 51501 16 low-income homes · In service since 1993
  • Heartland Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 1503 Avenue J, Council Bluffs 51501 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 2 · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2008 · For families
  • 3205 12th Ave Tax credit (LIHTC) 3205 12th Ave, Council Bluffs 51501 12 low-income homes · In service since 1990
  • Hawkeye Apartments HUD-assisted 333 N Commercial St, Carson 51525 12 low-income homes · For older adults · (712) 328-2222
  • Indian Creek Apartments HUD-assisted 2918 N Broadway, Council Bluffs 51503 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (712) 322-0582
  • Oakland Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 405 Chautauqua Ave, Oakland 51560 12 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1998 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Mosaic XV HUD-assisted 2407 Avenue L, Council Bluffs 51501 14 homes, 10 low-income · For people with disabilities · (402) 896-3884
  • 1613 S 13th ST Tax credit (LIHTC) 1613 S 13th St, Council Bluffs 51501 3 low-income homes
  • Parkwild I Tax credit (LIHTC) 649 Parkwild Dr, Council Bluffs 51503 48 homes

2 properties have two programs at the same address and appear once. Search HUD's map

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 Pottawattamie County

The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Pottawattamie County. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. 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. HUD

  2. 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). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. 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. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$23,950 $39,900 $63,850
$27,400 $45,600 $73,000
$30,800 $51,300 $82,100
$34,200 $57,000 $91,200
$38,680 $61,600 $98,500
$44,360 $66,150 $105,800
$50,040 $70,700 $113,100
$55,720 $75,250 $120,400

Area median income: $114,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $1,050 – $1,284
  • 1 bedroom $1,097 – $1,341
  • 2 bedrooms $1,305 – $1,595
  • 3 bedrooms $1,732 – $2,116
  • 4 bedrooms $1,961 – $2,397

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

Housing agencies in Iowa Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

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 rule

Compare 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 Pottawattamie County

HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Pottawattamie County. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.

See every agency in Iowa Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Pottawattamie 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

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$2,900

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$1,450
Security deposit
$1,450
Total
$2,900

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

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.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

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.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in Pottawattamie County?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,167; 1 bedroom: $1,219; 2 bedrooms: $1,450; 3 bedrooms: $1,924; 4 bedrooms: $2,179. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in Pottawattamie County?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,450) without spending more than 30% of income takes $27.88 an hour full time, or $58,000 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Pottawattamie County?

Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $57,000 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 Pottawattamie 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 $1,305 and $1,595 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Pottawattamie County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 51525 to $1,460 in 51510. 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 Pottawattamie County?

HUD lists 36 properties with homes for low-income households in Pottawattamie County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. 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 Pottawattamie County?

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Pottawattamie County, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Iowa, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).