County FMR · HUD FY2026

Hancock County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Hancock County, IA - 22% below the US average.

$745
1-bedroom FMR
$919
2-bedroom FMR
+4.1%
YoY change
-22%
vs US avg

The verdict

Hancock is the 22nd cheapest of 99 counties in Iowa by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #504 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#504
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#22
cheapest of 99 in Iowa (2BR)
-5%
vs the state average
$29,800
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.1%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (31.5%); 13 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Hancock County, IA. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Hancock County, Iowa is $745 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $919/mo and a studio is $682/mo. This is 22% lower than the national average of $959 and 5% below the Iowa average of $788.

Rent increased4.1% from FY 2025 ($716), outpacing inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $29,800/year.

Observed renter burden: 34.7% of the 832 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Iowa. Population: 10,790. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-1.6%, Census ACS). That's slower than Iowa's statewide growth of +2.0% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area HANCOCK·COUNTY·IA·IA

Hancock County, IA: $745/mo 1BR · #504 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA IA
  • 1BR-FMR $745
  • 2BR-FMR $919
  • RANK-MID #504
  • YOY-UP +4.1%
  • VSUS-BELOW -22%
  • VS-ST-NEAR -5% IA
  • INC-ROOM 13%
  • POP-SMALL 11K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Polk County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $671–$820
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Polk ($364 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $738 · US avg: $893
$682/mo
↑ 5.6% YoY -8% vs state -24% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $788 · US avg: $959
$745/mo
↑ 4.1% YoY -5% vs state -22% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $989 · US avg: $1,175
$919/mo
↑ 4.8% YoY -7% vs state -22% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,282 · US avg: $1,525
$1,170/mo
↓ 1.0% YoY -9% vs state -23% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,420 · US avg: $1,756
$1,542/mo
↑ 4.7% YoY +9% vs state -12% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $646
$682
+$36 (+5.6%)
1 Bedroom $716
$745
+$29 (+4.1%)
2 Bedroom $877
$919
+$42 (+4.8%)
3 Bedroom $1,182
$1,170
$-12 (-1.0%)
4 Bedroom $1,473
$1,542
+$69 (+4.7%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Hancock County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
11.7%
Affordable
Need $27,280/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
12.7%
Affordable
Need $29,800/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
15.7%
Affordable
Need $36,760/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
20%
Affordable
Need $46,800/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
26.4%
Affordable
Need $61,680/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%15.7%
Hancock County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $70,212 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Iowa rent burden →

Where Hancock sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$919 higher than 16% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). This entry sits in this band. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Above this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Above this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Hancock compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Iowa counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Hancock is highlighted. Nearby Iowa counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Polk County ($1,109), Johnson County ($961), Scott County ($928), Woodbury County ($925), Linn County ($816), Black Hawk County ($801), Hancock County (this county) ($745).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

With a below-average 1-bedroom at $745/mo, most of these Iowa occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation IA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $109,850 8.1% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $80,620 11.1% Affordable
Registered Nurses $76,960 11.6% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $74,290 12% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $73,900 12.1% Affordable
Electricians $62,880 14.2% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $55,540 16.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,080 16.2% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $53,280 16.8% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $44,990 19.9% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $41,380 21.6% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $36,130 24.7% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $30,030 29.8% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $28,500 31.4% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,400 31.5% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Iowa) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Hancock County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Hancock (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 36.4% overall, from $546 to $745. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 8.8% (FY 2023).

$500$550$600$650$700$750$800 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $745
Hancock County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑4.1% $682 $745 $919
FY 2025 ↑2.3% $646 $716 $877
FY 2024 ↑8.5% $630 $700 $862
FY 2023 ↑8.8% $581 $645 $795
FY 2022 ↑3.9% $534 $593 $739
FY 2021 ↑4.6% $519 $571 $715
FY 2020 $497 $546 $687
Total change (6yr): +36.4%
Annualized: +5.3%/yr
1 BR: $546 → $745

Where Hancock County Ranks in Iowa

Hancock County is not part of any federally-designated metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area -- an independent rental market not administratively tied to a larger urban core. By 2-bedroom FMR, it ranks #22 of 99 counties in Iowa. Nearest by rank: Decatur County ($919), Delaware County ($919), Emmet County ($919), Fayette County ($919), Floyd County ($919), Franklin County ($919), Fremont County ($919), Greene County ($919), Hancock County (this county) ($919), Hardin County ($919), Howard County ($919), Humboldt County ($919), Ida County ($919), Iowa County ($919), Jackson County ($919), Jones County ($919), Keokuk County ($919).

Decatur County
2 BR: $919/mo
Delaware County
2 BR: $919/mo
Emmet County
2 BR: $919/mo
Fayette County
2 BR: $919/mo
Floyd County
2 BR: $919/mo
Franklin County
2 BR: $919/mo
Fremont County
2 BR: $919/mo
Greene County
2 BR: $919/mo
Hancock County (this county)
2 BR: $919/mo
Hardin County
2 BR: $919/mo
Howard County
2 BR: $919/mo
Humboldt County
2 BR: $919/mo
Ida County
2 BR: $919/mo
Iowa County
2 BR: $919/mo
Jackson County
2 BR: $919/mo
Jones County
2 BR: $919/mo
Keokuk County
2 BR: $919/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Hancock County, both outside Iowa so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside IA (FY2026).

McPherson County
KS · 2 BR $920/mo
Saline County
IL · 2 BR $920/mo
Pike County
MO · 2 BR $918/mo
Todd County
KY · 2 BR $918/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside IA).

Hettinger County
ND · 15.7% of income · 2 BR $927/mo
Hughes County
SD · 15.7% of income · 2 BR $1,034/mo
Union County
OH · 15.7% of income · 2 BR $1,433/mo
Jefferson County
WV · 15.7% of income · 2 BR $1,251/mo

Nearby Counties in Iowa

Largest counties by population in Iowa

Showing the 8 largest of 98 other counties in Iowa.

Polk County
1 BR: $1,109/mo Pop: 493,378
Linn County
1 BR: $816/mo Pop: 229,308
Scott County
1 BR: $928/mo Pop: 174,315
Johnson County
1 BR: $961/mo Pop: 153,360
Black Hawk County
1 BR: $801/mo Pop: 131,041
Woodbury County
1 BR: $925/mo Pop: 105,526
Dallas County
1 BR: $1,109/mo Pop: 100,367
Dubuque County
1 BR: $841/mo Pop: 98,812
View all counties in Iowa →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Hancock County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Hancock County is $745 per month. A 2-bedroom is $919 and a studio is $682.
How does Hancock County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Hancock County is 22% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $745 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Hancock County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Hancock County's 2-bedroom FMR of $919 ranks #504 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the lower-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Hancock County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $29,800 ($2,483/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Hancock County.
Is rent going up or down in Hancock County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hancock County increased by 4.1% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $716 to $745.
Which jobs can afford rent in Hancock County? ▼
Based on Iowa BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $745/mo. 13 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Hancock County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hancock County went from $546 in FY 2020 to $745 in FY 2026, a total change of +36.4% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Hancock County? ▼
In Hancock County, the FY 2026 FMR of $745/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Hancock County? ▼
For Hancock County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($745/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.