Buying a home in Iowa

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Iowa.

Effective property tax rate

1.39%

Median tax $2,897 ÷ median value $208,000 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$239,547

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-08

Transfer & recording taxes Estimate

$383

Total on a $239,547 home; buyer’s typical share $0.

How we estimated

$0.80 per $500 of value above the first $500 (Iowa Code §428A.1), about 0.16%. The statute does not assign the payer; by custom the seller usually pays. Sources: Iowa Code §428A.1. Checked 2026-10-15.

Buyer’s transfer & recording taxes Estimate

On a $239,547 home. Lender fees and title insurance aren’t included because we don’t have a sourced figure for them in Iowa. Estimate the rest.

At Iowa's effective rate of 1.39%, a typical $239,547 home would owe about $3,330/year ($277/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

Iowa Finance Authority

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Iowa Finance Authority →

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-10-15.