FY2027 Small Area FMR · Harlan, IA

ZIP 51537 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 51537 (Harlan, IA) is $1,000 a month, up 1.0% from FY2026. That is 8% above the Shelby County, IA area-wide FMR of $927.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,000per month ▲ 1.0%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$927Shelby County, IA

Rank in the area11thof 22 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$900

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,000

110% of SAFMR$1,100

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

Studio$740▲ 1.4%

1 BR$900■ 0.0%

2 BR$1,000▲ 1.0%

3 BR$1,310▼ 5.1%

4 BR$1,310▼ 7.1%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 51537 sits in the Shelby County, IA area

Of the 22 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 51537 has the 11th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Shelby County, 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 $927 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,000 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	$740	$666 – $814	$688	$730
1 bedroom	$900	$810 – $990	$838	$900
2 bedrooms	$1,000	$900 – $1,100	$927	$990
3 bedrooms	$1,310	$1,179 – $1,441	$1,214	$1,380
4 bedrooms	$1,310	$1,179 – $1,441	$1,218	$1,410

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,000 needs about $40,000 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $99,300 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $79,450. ZIP code 51537 lies mainly in Shelby County. See the Shelby County, IA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
51578	Westphalia	6.9 mi	$950
51447	Kirkman	7.2 mi	$1,180
51446	Irwin	10.2 mi	$930
51562	Panama	11.4 mi	$1,010
51543	Kimballton	11.4 mi	$1,250
51521	Avoca	11.6 mi	$1,070

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 51537?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 51537 are $740 (studio), $900 (1 BR), $1,000 (2 BR), $1,310 (3 BR) and $1,310 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 51537?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 51537 that range is $900 to $1,100 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 51537?

The FY2026 income limits of the Shelby County, IA area apply: median family income $99,300, low-income (80%) limit $79,450 for a family of four.