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Iowa property tax calculator

Iowa's effective property tax rate averages about 1.52% of market value — above the roughly 1.0% national average. That's roughly $3,192 a year on the state's $210,000 median home. The calculator is pre-filled with that rate.

$3,192 / year

Per month
$266.00
Assessed value
$210,000
Effective rate
1.52%

Rates vary by county and city — check your local assessor for the exact figure.

How it works

Your county assessor sets a taxable (assessed) value, which may be below market value, then applies the combined rate of every taxing body — county, city, school district, and any special levies. A homestead or senior exemption reduces the assessed value before the rate is applied, so an owner-occupied home often owes less than the headline rate on a rental or second home.

For comparison, homeowners insurance in Iowa averages about $1,900 a year, so on the median home the tax bill is the larger of the two escrow items. Iowa's home prices are among the lowest in the country, but an above-average property tax rate set largely at the county and school-district level offsets some of that affordability.

Frequently asked questions

What is the property tax rate in Iowa?
Iowa's effective property tax rate averages about 1.52% of a home's market value — above the roughly 1.0% national average. That works out to roughly $3,192 a year on the state's $210,000 median home.
How is property tax calculated in Iowa?
Your county assessor sets a taxable (assessed) value, which may be below market value, then applies the combined rate of every taxing body — county, city, school district, and special levies. Exemptions like a homestead exemption reduce the assessed value first.
Property tax vs. homeowners insurance in Iowa — which costs more?
On the median home, Iowa property tax runs about $3,192 a year versus roughly $1,900 for insurance. Property tax is the larger of the two here.
Can I lower my property tax bill in Iowa?
Most owners can file a homestead exemption on a primary residence, and you can appeal the assessed value if comparable sales suggest it's too high. Senior, veteran, and disability exemptions may also apply.

Learn more: How property tax works

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