FY2027 Small Area FMR · Ames, IA

ZIP 50012 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 50012 (Ames, IA) is $1,180 a month, down 7.1% from FY2026. That is 11% above the Ames, IA area-wide FMR of $1,061.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,180per month ▼ 7.1%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,061Ames, IA

Rank in the area5thof 26 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,062

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,180

110% of SAFMR$1,298

Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.

Studio$990▼ 7.5%

1 BR$1,040▼ 8.0%

2 BR$1,180▼ 7.1%

3 BR$1,640▼ 7.3%

4 BR$1,960▼ 8.0%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 50012 sits in the Ames, IA area

Of the 26 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 50012 has the 5th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Ames, IA is not on HUD's list of mandatory Small Area FMR areas, so voucher payment standards here are normally based on the area-wide FMR of $1,061 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,180 for this ZIP code instead.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$990	$891 – $1,089	$891	$1,070
1 bedroom	$1,040	$936 – $1,144	$944	$1,130
2 bedrooms	$1,180	$1,062 – $1,298	$1,061	$1,270
3 bedrooms	$1,640	$1,476 – $1,804	$1,469	$1,770
4 bedrooms	$1,960	$1,764 – $2,156	$1,768	$2,130

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,180 needs about $47,200 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $122,400 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $97,900. ZIP code 50012 lies mainly in Story County. See the Ames, IA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
50013	Ames	0.3 mi	$1,200
50014	Ames	2.9 mi	$1,210
50010	Ames	3.0 mi	$1,080
50105	Gilbert	5.8 mi	$1,040
50134	Kelley	6.2 mi	$1,040
50124	Huxley	10.0 mi	$1,350

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 50012?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 50012 are $990 (studio), $1,040 (1 BR), $1,180 (2 BR), $1,640 (3 BR) and $1,960 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 50012?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 50012 that range is $1,062 to $1,298 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 50012?

The FY2026 income limits of the Ames, IA area apply: median family income $122,400, low-income (80%) limit $97,900 for a family of four.