Buena Vista County, Iowa home prices
Typical home $186,332 · -0.2% in a year · property tax 1.21%
The typical home in Buena Vista County is worth $186,332, 21% less than the Iowa typical home ($236,623). Values changed -0.2% in the past year and +22.3% over five years. Homeowners here pay a median 1.21% of their home's value in property tax each year ($2,256 on the typical home), versus 1.27% statewide.
Mortgage on the typical Buena Vista County home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $37,266 | $149,065 | $1,003 | $0 | $281 | $1,284 | $55,000 |
| 10% down | $18,633 | $167,699 | $1,128 | $70 | $281 | $1,479 | $63,400 |
| 5% down | $9,317 | $177,015 | $1,191 | $74 | $281 | $1,546 | $66,200 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $6,522 | $182,957 | $1,231 | $82 | $281 | $1,594 | $68,300 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 1.21% of the home value a year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% a year, PMI of 0.5% of the loan a year when the down payment is under 20%, and FHA mortgage insurance of 0.55% a year plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan. Your rate, taxes and insurance will differ.
What it takes: see what you can afford by salary in Iowa · part of the Storm Lake metro area.
Iowa counties with similar prices
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Hawk County | $185,880 | +0.4% | 1.5% |
| Van Buren County | $185,789 | +4.3% | 1.18% |
| Ida County | $184,506 | +6.3% | 1.16% |
| Fremont County | $182,656 | +9.3% | 1.21% |
| Butler County | $190,215 | +4.8% | 1.35% |
| Worth County | $190,414 | +4.6% | 1.1% |
| Hancock County | $182,064 | +2.9% | 1.18% |
| Jefferson County | $181,544 | +3.0% | 1.41% |
| Clinton County | $181,487 | +6.7% | 1.53% |
| Crawford County | $181,286 | +5.1% | 1.28% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Buena Vista County, IA?
The typical home value in Buena Vista County is $186,332 (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
How much do you need to earn to buy a house in Buena Vista County?
About $55,000 a year for the typical home with 20% down at a 7.11% 30-year rate.
What is the property tax rate in Buena Vista County?
The median effective rate is 1.21% of home value a year (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).