Howard County, Iowa home prices
Typical home $204,056 · +9.3% in a year · property tax 1.25%
The typical home in Howard County is worth $204,056, 14% less than the Iowa typical home ($236,623). Values changed +9.3% in the past year and +40.6% over five years. Homeowners here pay a median 1.25% of their home's value in property tax each year ($2,558 on the typical home), versus 1.27% statewide.
Mortgage on the typical Howard County home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $40,811 | $163,245 | $1,098 | $0 | $315 | $1,413 | $60,600 |
| 10% down | $20,406 | $183,650 | $1,235 | $77 | $315 | $1,627 | $69,700 |
| 5% down | $10,203 | $193,853 | $1,304 | $81 | $315 | $1,700 | $72,900 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $7,142 | $200,360 | $1,348 | $90 | $315 | $1,753 | $75,100 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 1.25% 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.
Iowa counties with similar prices
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Gordo County | $204,868 | +3.0% | 1.45% |
| Muscatine County | $205,712 | +5.6% | 1.5% |
| Mahaska County | $200,948 | +8.5% | 1.32% |
| Woodbury County | $207,499 | +2.8% | 1.45% |
| Adair County | $197,786 | +8.4% | 1.28% |
| Clarke County | $197,299 | +2.6% | 1.6% |
| Clay County | $195,966 | +4.2% | 1.15% |
| Carroll County | $212,289 | +6.1% | 1.09% |
| Shelby County | $212,688 | +4.2% | 1.28% |
| O Brien County | $194,875 | +8.0% | 0.98% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Howard County, IA?
The typical home value in Howard County is $204,056 (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
How much do you need to earn to buy a house in Howard County?
About $60,600 a year for the typical home with 20% down at a 7.11% 30-year rate.
What is the property tax rate in Howard County?
The median effective rate is 1.25% of home value a year (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).