FY2027 Small Area FMR · Council Bluffs, IA
ZIP 51503 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 51503 (Council Bluffs, IA) is $1,230 a month, up 6.0% from FY2026. That is 15% below the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA area-wide FMR of $1,450.
Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms
Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.
FY2027 FY2026
Where 51503 sits in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA area
Of the 134 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 51503 has the 75th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-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 $1,107 and $1,353 for two bedrooms.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $990 | $891 – $1,089 | $1,167 | $920 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,030 | $927 – $1,133 | $1,219 | $970 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,230 | $1,107 – $1,353 | $1,450 | $1,160 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,630 | $1,467 – $1,793 | $1,924 | $1,540 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,850 | $1,665 – $2,035 | $2,179 | $1,730 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,230 needs about $49,200 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $114,000 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $91,200. ZIP code 51503 lies mainly in Pottawattamie County and Mills County. See the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions
What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 51503?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 51503 are $990 (studio), $1,030 (1 BR), $1,230 (2 BR), $1,630 (3 BR) and $1,850 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 51503?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 51503 that range is $1,107 to $1,353 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 51503?
The FY2026 income limits of the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA area apply: median family income $114,000, low-income (80%) limit $91,200 for a family of four.