Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Union County, Iowa
Union County has a HUD fair market rent of $927 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $721 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.83 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $927
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 17% less than in Iowa
- Typical rent
- $721
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 26% less than in Iowa
- Wage needed
- $17.83
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $37,080 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 35%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 21% less than in Iowa
Only here
Renting in Union County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Union County has the 2nd lowest typical household income of the 99 counties in Iowa ($57,772).
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 Union 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 | $646 | $12.42 | $25,840 |
| 1 bedroom | $709 | $13.63 | $28,360 |
| 2 bedrooms | $927 | $17.83 | $37,080 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,210 | $23.27 | $48,400 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,218 | $23.42 | $48,720 |
HUD area: Union 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 10 ZIP codes in Union County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 50801 to $1,150 in 50861. 10 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($927).
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)
| 50254 | Clarke County, IA | $670 | $750 | $950 | $1,260 | $1,260 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50254 | Union County, IA | $670 | $750 | $950 | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| 50801 | Adair County, IA | $650 | $710 | $930 | $1,210 | $1,220 |
| 50801 | Adams County, IA | $650 | $710 | $930 | $1,210 | $1,220 |
| 50801 | Union County, IA | $650 | $710 | $930 | $1,210 | $1,220 |
| 50830 | Union County, IA | $650 | $710 | $930 | $1,210 | $1,220 |
| 50831 | Union County, IA | $650 | $710 | $930 | $1,210 | $1,220 |
| 50842 | Union County, IA | $650 | $710 | $930 | $1,210 | $1,220 |
| 50861 | Ringgold County, IA | $810 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,480 | $1,510 |
| 50861 | Union County, IA | $810 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,480 | $1,510 |
- 50254 · Clarke County, IA $950$1,260
- 50254 · Union County, IA $950$1,260
- 50801 · Adair County, IA $930$1,210
- 50801 · Adams County, IA $930$1,210
- 50801 · Union County, IA $930$1,210
- 50830 · Union County, IA $930$1,210
- 50831 · Union County, IA $930$1,210
- 50842 · Union County, IA $930$1,210
- 50861 · Ringgold County, IA $1,150$1,480
- 50861 · Union County, IA $1,150$1,480
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 Union County, 35% 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.
35%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,426 households rent in Union County
- Spend half or more of their income 24%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 11%
- Spend less than 30% 65%
Compared with the state and the country
- Union 35%
- Iowa 44%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Union County
HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in Union 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)
- 5
- HUD-assisted
- 2
- public housing
- 1
242 homes in all; 238 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Green Valley Manor HUD-assisted 122 Manor Dr, Creston 50801 48 homes, 47 low-income · For families · (641) 782-7173
- Afton Park Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 910 N Clayton St, Afton 50830 40 homes, 38 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2012 · For families
- Summit House Tax credit (LIHTC) 509 N Maple St, Creston 50801 32 homes, 31 low-income · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 26 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
- Fairview Public housing 611 E Polk St, Afton 50830 30 low-income homes · Run by Afton Housing Commission · Average payment: $525 a month · Average wait: 1 month · (641) 347-8826
- Creston Plaza Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 1001 S Sumner St, Creston 50801 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 22 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 1997
- Creston Plaza Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1003 S Sumner St, Creston 50801 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2009 · For families
- The Iowana Tax credit (LIHTC) 203 W Montgomery St, Creston 50801 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2011 · For families
- Autumn House Apartments HUD-assisted 107 N Division St, Creston 50801 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (515) 782-8585
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 Union County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Union County. 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 | $19,800 | $32,950 | $52,750 |
| 2 people | $22,600 | $37,650 | $60,250 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $42,350 | $67,800 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $47,050 | $75,300 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $50,850 | $81,350 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $54,600 | $87,350 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $58,350 | $93,400 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $62,150 | $99,400 |
Area median income: $81,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Union County, IA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $581 – $711
- 1 bedroom $638 – $780
- 2 bedrooms $834 – $1,020
- 3 bedrooms $1,089 – $1,331
- 4 bedrooms $1,096 – $1,340
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
- Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 1,132 vouchers · 125 public housing units (641) 782-8585 Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority: sirha@sirha-ia.org
- Afton Housing Commission Public housing · 30 public housing units (641) 347-8826 Afton Housing Commission: AftonFairviewHousing@gmail.com
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 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 Union County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc. (home, Inc.)
1618 6th Ave, Des Moines · 51 miles away · Spanish
- Home improvement and repairs
- Homelessness services
- and 5 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Union 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
$1,854
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $927
- Security deposit
- $927
- Total
- $1,854
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 Union County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $646; 1 bedroom: $709; 2 bedrooms: $927; 3 bedrooms: $1,210; 4 bedrooms: $1,218. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Union County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($927) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.83 an hour full time, or $37,080 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Union County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $47,050 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 Union 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 $834 and $1,020 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Union County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 50801 to $1,150 in 50861. 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 Union County?
HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in Union 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 Union County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Union County, 35% of renter households are in that position; in Iowa, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).