FY2027 Small Area FMR · Van Meter, IA

ZIP 50261 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 50261 (Van Meter, IA) is $1,150 a month, up 4.5% from FY2026. That is 15% below the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area-wide FMR of $1,360.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,150per month ▲ 4.5%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,360Des Moines-West Des Moines,

Rank in the area64thof 111 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,035

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,150

110% of SAFMR$1,265

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

Studio$930▲ 4.5%

1 BR$970▲ 4.3%

2 BR$1,150▲ 4.5%

3 BR$1,570▲ 4.7%

4 BR$1,610▲ 4.5%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 50261 sits in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area

Of the 111 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 50261 has the 64th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is one of the 65 metro areas where HUD requires Small Area FMRs for the Housing Choice Voucher program (designated 2023), so local housing agencies must set payment standards from this ZIP code's figure, normally between $1,035 and $1,265 for two bedrooms.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$930	$837 – $1,023	$1,102	$890
1 bedroom	$970	$873 – $1,067	$1,145	$930
2 bedrooms	$1,150	$1,035 – $1,265	$1,360	$1,100
3 bedrooms	$1,570	$1,413 – $1,727	$1,856	$1,500
4 bedrooms	$1,610	$1,449 – $1,771	$1,901	$1,540

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,150 needs about $46,000 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $116,400 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $93,100. ZIP code 50261 lies mainly in Madison County and Dallas County. See the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
50038	Booneville	3.6 mi	$1,260
50069	De Soto	6.5 mi	$1,140
50061	Cumming	7.1 mi	$1,320
50263	Waukee	8.7 mi	$1,560
50218	Patterson	9.0 mi	$1,240
50266	West Des Moines	9.1 mi	$1,640

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 50261?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 50261 are $930 (studio), $970 (1 BR), $1,150 (2 BR), $1,570 (3 BR) and $1,610 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 50261?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 50261 that range is $1,035 to $1,265 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 50261?

The FY2026 income limits of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area apply: median family income $116,400, low-income (80%) limit $93,100 for a family of four.