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Section 8 rent in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

FY2025 HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area, covering 111 ZIP codes.

$1,122Avg 2BR FMR / mo
$1,234Avg 2BR at 110% Standard
111ZIP Codes

Fair market rent by bedroom count

Base SAFMR across all ZIP codes in this market. Housing authorities may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of these rates.

BedroomsLowest ZIPAverageHighest ZIPAvg 110% Standard
Studio$750$874$1,210$962
1 Bedroom$810$934$1,290$1,027
2 Bedrooms$980$1,122$1,540$1,234
3 Bedrooms$1,330$1,511$2,070$1,662
4 Bedrooms$1,340$1,539$2,070$1,693

Small multifamily Section 8 income

Estimated gross monthly and annual rent for 2-to-4 unit properties, assuming every unit is rented to Section 8 at this market's average fair market rent. Small multifamily is a favorite for long-term buy-and-hold investors stacking stable voucher income across multiple doors.

Property TypeUnit MixGross Monthly RentGross Annual Rent
Duplex2 × 2BR$2,244$26,928
Triplex3 × 2BR$3,366$40,392
Fourplex4 × 2BR$4,488$53,856
Fourplex4 × 3BR$6,044$72,528

Gross scheduled rent before vacancy, maintenance and management. Run any Iowa multifamily listing through RealG to model it against real operating costs, or try the rental property calculator.

Highest-paying ZIP codes

Top 15 of 111 ZIP codes in this market, ranked by 2-bedroom SAFMR.

ZIP Code1BR2BR3BR4BR
50021 $1,290 $1,540 $2,070 $2,070
50146 $1,240 $1,480 $1,990 $1,990
50266 $1,230 $1,470 $1,970 $1,980
50323 $1,210 $1,450 $1,950 $1,950
50001 $1,180 $1,410 $1,890 $1,900
50131 $1,180 $1,410 $1,890 $1,900
50263 $1,160 $1,390 $1,870 $1,870
50023 $1,130 $1,350 $1,810 $1,820
50118 $1,110 $1,330 $1,780 $1,790
50324 $1,110 $1,330 $1,780 $1,790
50009 $1,080 $1,290 $1,730 $1,740
50047 $1,080 $1,290 $1,730 $1,740
50032 $1,070 $1,280 $1,720 $1,720
50035 $1,060 $1,270 $1,700 $1,710
50241 $1,060 $1,270 $1,700 $1,710

Quick cash flow check

Free Tool

Estimate monthly cash flow renting to Section 8 at this market's average fair market rent.

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30-year fixed. Taxes and insurance estimated at 1.5% and 0.5% of price per year. Before vacancy, maintenance and management. For a full itemized analysis, run this market in RealG.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
For FY2025, the average 2-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area is $1,122 per month, ranging from $980 to $1,540 depending on ZIP code. Local housing authorities may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of these rates, so the average 2-bedroom payment standard can reach $1,234.
What is a Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR)?
SAFMRs are fair market rents that HUD publishes at the ZIP code level instead of one rate for a whole metro area. They reflect what modest rental housing actually costs in each ZIP, which means higher payment standards in more expensive neighborhoods. Housing choice voucher payments in this market are based on these rates.
Why do rents vary so much between ZIP codes here?
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, 2-bedroom SAFMRs run from $980 to $1,540 per month. HUD sets each ZIP's rate from local rent data, so neighborhoods with stronger rental markets get higher voucher payment standards. For investors, the spread matters: the same house price can produce very different Section 8 rents a few ZIP codes apart.
How do I find Section 8 investment properties in Iowa?
RealG searches live listings across Iowa, runs Section 8 numbers on every property using these HUD rates, and grades each deal A through D against your buying criteria. You can start free with no credit card and see graded deals in this market in minutes.

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