An Iowa mortgage payment starts with the same formula as anywhere in the country, then picks up two costs that vary sharply by state: property tax at an effective 1.29% and homeowners insurance near $1,300 a year. On a typical Iowa home of $235,000, those two add $361 to every monthly payment before the loan costs anything. The tool below is preloaded with that home, 10% down, and a 30-year fixed rate of 6.25%.
The Iowa housing market at a glance
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index, statewide | $237,000 |
|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate$3,030 a year on the example home | 1.29% |
| Typical homeowners insurance$108 a month in escrow | $1,300 |
| Median household income$6,292 a month before tax | $75,501 |
| Example payment, share of median incomeWithin the 28% housing guideline | 27.8% |
Home values: Zillow, September 2026. Income, rent, and property tax: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2024. Insurance is an estimate. Sources · How every state compares
An Iowa mortgage, line by line
| Home price | $235,000 |
|---|---|
| Down payment (10%) | $23,500 |
| Loan amount | $211,500 |
| Principal & interest at 6.25% | $1,302 |
| Property tax | $253 |
| Homeowners insurance | $108 |
| PMI at 0.5%Ends after 8 yrs 10 mo | $88 |
| Total monthly paymentHeadline result | $1,751 |
| Interest over 30 yearsHeadline result | $257,307 |
| Income for a 28% housing ratioMedian Iowa household: $75,501 | $75,051 |
What changes the payment in Iowa
Property taxes in Iowa
Residential rollback reductions shrink taxable value whenever market values rise faster than inflation, which cushions assessment spikes for long-term holders. At the statewide effective rate of 1.29%, the example home pays $3,030 a year, $253 of every monthly payment. Local rates inside Iowa vary well beyond the statewide figure, so take the number from the county assessor or the listing for any home you consider.
Homeowners insurance in Iowa
Budget roughly $1,300 a year. Hail and tornado claims set premiums across the Midwest. Check roof age and deductible structure before underwriting a rehab, and expect a separate wind/hail deductible in many counties. Lenders require coverage before closing, and the premium is collected monthly in escrow, so get a quote before you make an offer.
How far an Iowa income goes
The median Iowa household earns about $75,501 a year. That covers the example payment with $10 a month to spare under a 28% housing limit. The Iowa edition of the home affordability calculator solves for the price that income supports.
How to estimate your Iowa mortgage payment
- Replace the example price with the home you are considering. The property tax figure won't update by itself; recalculate it from the listing or the county's rate.
- Enter your real down payment. Under 20% on a conventional loan, PMI is added until the balance reaches 78% of the price.
- Use a rate from a current loan estimate rather than an advertised rate, which often assumes points paid up front.
- Replace the $1,300 insurance estimate with a quote for the specific address.
- Add HOA dues if the home has them, then try extra principal to see how much interest an early payoff saves.
Methodology
Principal and interest use the standard fixed-rate amortization formula, M = L × r ÷ (1 − (1 + r)^−n). Property tax is the statewide effective rate applied to the example price; insurance is a typical statewide premium. PMI is charged at the stated annual rate until the balance first reaches 78% of the original price, when the Homeowners Protection Act requires it to be cancelled.
Iowa figures are sourced statewide values, listed under Sources: Zillow's typical home value and Census income, rent, and property tax data. Insurance is an estimate. They are not quotes or appraisals; substitute your own numbers for a decision.
Sources
- Typical home value: Zillow Home Value Index (all homes, mid tier, seasonally adjusted), September 2026.
- Median household income: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B19013, 2024.
- Median gross rent: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B25064, 2024.
- Effective property tax rate: Median real estate taxes paid (B25103) ÷ median home value (B25077), Census ACS 1-year, the Tax Foundation's method, 2024.
- Homeowners insurance: Keystone estimate of a typical annual premium. Replace it with a quote for the address, 2026.
Read the full methodology, worked example, and caveats in the national Mortgage Calculator guide.
Iowa FAQ
- What is the average mortgage payment in Iowa?
- On a typical Iowa home of $235,000 with 10% down and a 30-year fixed rate of 6.25%, the full payment comes to about $1,751 a month: $1,302 of principal and interest, $361 of taxes and insurance, and $88 of PMI. Your payment depends on the price, rate, and local tax bill.
- How much are property taxes on an Iowa mortgage?
- Iowa's effective property tax rate is about 1.29%, which adds $253 a month to the payment on a $235,000 home. Residential rollback reductions shrink taxable value whenever market values rise faster than inflation, which cushions assessment spikes for long-term holders.
- How much income do I need to buy a home in Iowa?
- To keep the example payment of $1,751 within the 28% housing guideline, a household needs about $75,051 a year of gross income, compared with an Iowa median of $75,501. Other debts lower what a lender will approve.
- Does homeowners insurance raise my mortgage payment in Iowa?
- Yes. Lenders collect it monthly in escrow alongside property tax. At a typical $1,300 a year, insurance adds $108 a month in Iowa. Premiums vary by address and have risen quickly in many states, so quote it before you commit to a price.
Other state editions
Every state gets its own edition of the Mortgage Calculator, preloaded with that market's typical values, tax rates, and insurance costs: