Buying in Iowa: what the numbers look like
Property taxes are the line to watch in Iowa: at an average effective 1.4% — 9th highest in the country versus a ~0.94% national average — the typical $225,000 home carries roughly $3,150 a year ($263 per month) in tax before you've paid a dollar of principal. On the insurance side, Iowa homeowners average about $3,300 a year — near the 50-state average of $2,682. Hail and windstorm claims keep Midwest premiums elevated.
Put together at an illustrative 6.5% rate (30-year, 20% down), the typical Iowa purchase pencils out near $1,675/month: $1,138 principal & interest + $263 tax + $275 insurance. That's the number the calculator above starts from — swap in your real price, rate quote, and county figures to make it yours.
Property taxes & closing costs in Iowa
Rates vary meaningfully by county and school district within Iowa, so treat the 1.4% state average as a starting point and confirm your county's rate with the assessor before locking a budget.
Transfer tax: Real estate transfer tax of $0.80 per $500 (0.16%) above $500. Closing costs also include lender, title, and recording fees — typically 2–5% of the price all-in.
Iowa at a glance
| Typical home value (Zillow, 2025) | $225,000 (44th highest) |
| Avg. effective property tax (2023) | 1.4% ≈ $263/mo |
| Avg. home insurance (2025) | $3,300/yr ≈ $275/mo |
| Example payment (typical home, 6.5%, 20% down) | $1,675/mo |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the mortgage payment on a typical Iowa home?
The typical Iowa home runs about $225,000 (Zillow, 2025). With 20% down ($45,000) on a 30-year loan at an illustrative 6.5% rate, the full monthly payment is roughly $1,675 — $1,138 principal & interest, $263 property tax, and $275 insurance. Adjust every input above to match your own price and quote.
What is the property tax rate in Iowa?
Iowa's average effective rate is 1.4% of home value — the 9th highest in the nation (Tax Foundation, 2023 data). On the typical $225,000 home that is about $3,150 per year. Actual rates vary by county and city, so verify the figure for your specific address with the county assessor.
How much is homeowners insurance in Iowa?
Roughly $3,300 per year on average for $300k of dwelling coverage (Bankrate, 2025) — above the 50-state average of $2,682. Hail and windstorm claims keep Midwest premiums elevated.
Nearby states & more tools
Compare: Minnesota mortgage calculator · Nebraska mortgage calculator · Illinois mortgage calculator · Missouri mortgage calculator — or see all 50 states compared.
Not sure of your price range? Start with the home affordability calculator, then fine-tune here. The full mortgage calculator has extra payments and PMI controls too.
Data & sources: Property tax — Effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing, calendar year 2023 (Tax Foundation analysis of Census ACS data, published 2025). Home value — Typical home value, Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), 2025, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Insurance — Average annual homeowners insurance premium for $300k dwelling coverage (Bankrate/Quadrant 2025), rounded to the nearest $50. State-level figures are planning defaults, not quotes: property taxes vary by county and city, insurance varies by home and insurer, and home values move monthly. Every value prefills the calculator but remains editable. The 6.5% rate is illustrative, not an offer or a prediction — always enter a real quote.
Disclaimer: Educational purposes only — not financial advice. See our Terms of Use.