Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HUD Metro FMR Area vs Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area

How do Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HUD Metro FMR Area and Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.

$801
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HUD Metro FMR Area (1BR)
$729
Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area (1BR)
+10%
1BR difference

Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Metro
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HUD Metro FMR Area
$801/mo 1BR
Population: 168,404
Metro
Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area
$729/mo 1BR
Population: 275,693

A 1-bedroom in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HUD Metro FMR Area is 10% more expensive than Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($801 vs $729). 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HUD Metro FMR Area Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area Difference
Studio $725 $659 +$66 (+10%)
1 Bedroom $801 $729 +$72 (+10%)
2 Bedroom $1,051 $956 +$95 (+10%)
3 Bedroom $1,357 $1,209 +$148 (+12%)
4 Bedroom $1,763 $1,348 +$415 (+31%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HUD Metro FMR Area is 16% below the US average. Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area is 24% below.

Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).