FY2027 Small Area FMR · Essex, IA
ZIP 51638 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 51638 (Essex, IA) is $930 a month, up 1.1% from FY2026. That is 0% equal to the Montgomery County, IA area-wide FMR of $927.
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 51638 sits in the Montgomery County, IA area
Of the 13 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 51638 has the 9th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Montgomery 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 $930 for this ZIP code instead.
ZIP code 51638 crosses more than one HUD area. HUD also lists it under Page County, IA (same figures). The figure that applies depends on which side of the line the home is.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $690 | $621 – $759 | $688 | $680 |
| 1 bedroom | $760 | $684 – $836 | $852 | $720 |
| 2 bedrooms | $930 | $837 – $1,023 | $927 | $920 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,180 | $1,062 – $1,298 | $1,267 | $1,150 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,260 | $1,134 – $1,386 | $1,378 | $1,220 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $930 needs about $37,200 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $86,800 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $75,300. ZIP code 51638 lies mainly in Page County and Montgomery County. See the Montgomery County, IA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions
What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 51638?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 51638 are $690 (studio), $760 (1 BR), $930 (2 BR), $1,180 (3 BR) and $1,260 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 51638?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 51638 that range is $837 to $1,023 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 51638?
The FY2026 income limits of the Montgomery County, IA area apply: median family income $86,800, low-income (80%) limit $75,300 for a family of four.