Polk County, Iowa home prices
Typical home $279,097 · +0.2% in a year · property tax 1.68%
The typical home in Polk County is worth $279,097, 18% more than the Iowa typical home ($236,623). Values changed +0.2% in the past year and +19.4% over five years. Homeowners here pay a median 1.68% of their home's value in property tax each year ($4,681 on the typical home), versus 1.27% statewide.
Mortgage on the typical Polk County home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $55,819 | $223,277 | $1,502 | $0 | $530 | $2,032 | $87,100 |
| 10% down | $27,910 | $251,187 | $1,690 | $105 | $530 | $2,324 | $99,600 |
| 5% down | $13,955 | $265,142 | $1,784 | $110 | $530 | $2,424 | $103,900 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $9,768 | $274,042 | $1,843 | $123 | $530 | $2,497 | $107,000 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 1.68% 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 Des Moines metro area.
Iowa counties with similar prices
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mills County | $280,495 | +3.2% | 1.47% |
| Dubuque County | $277,182 | +4.3% | 1.23% |
| Benton County | $282,938 | +9.5% | 1.31% |
| Guthrie County | $273,068 | +5.7% | 1.22% |
| Marion County | $271,088 | +2.9% | 1.22% |
| Clayton County | $287,556 | +13.2% | 1.29% |
| Lyon County | $266,451 | +12.2% | 0.87% |
| Story County | $292,064 | +2.7% | 1.4% |
| Plymouth County | $292,290 | +5.5% | 1.07% |
| Allamakee County | $262,926 | +7.6% | 1.27% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Polk County, IA?
The typical home value in Polk County is $279,097 (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
How much do you need to earn to buy a house in Polk County?
About $87,100 a year for the typical home with 20% down at a 7.11% 30-year rate.
What is the property tax rate in Polk County?
The median effective rate is 1.68% of home value a year (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).