Rent comparison · HUD FY2026
Story County vs Polk County
How do Story County and Polk County rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.
- $1,026
- Story County (1BR)
- $1,109
- Polk County (1BR)
- −7%
- 1BR difference
Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A 1-bedroom in Story County is 7% cheaper than Polk County at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($1,026 vs $1,109). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.
How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?
| Bedrooms | Story County | Polk County | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $972 | $1,063 | −$91 (-9%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,026 | $1,109 | −$83 (-7%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,153 | $1,318 | −$165 (-13%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,601 | $1,794 | −$193 (-11%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,934 | $1,841 | +$93 (+5%) |
vs US National Average
National average 1BR: $959. Story County is 7% above the US average. Polk County is 16% above.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).