Iowa (IA) Property Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate property tax in Iowa. Enter a home value and we apply Iowa’s average effective property tax rate of about 1.52%. Actual bills vary by county and assessment — edit the rate for your area.
Example: with Home value 350,000 · Iowa effective rate 1.52 → Annual property tax: $5,320.
Computed by the calculator below using its default values. Change any input to see your own numbers.
Iowa tax snapshot
In Iowa, the effective property-tax rate is about 1.52% — the 10th-highest of the 50 states + DC, versus a national average near 1.03%. By the other measures, Iowa property tax is about 1.52% (the 10th-highest) and its sales-tax base is 6% (the 20th-highest); iowa levies a state income tax. For context, New Jersey has the highest effective property tax (2.23%) and Hawaii the lowest (0.27%); California has the highest statewide sales tax (7.25%) and Oregon has none (0%).
Compare across Iowa: Paycheck · Property tax · Sales tax.
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Get quotesIowa property tax
Iowa’s average effective property tax rate is about 1.52% of a home’s value per year. Counties and municipalities set their own rates and assessments, so your actual bill can be higher or lower. Use your county assessor’s rate for precision — the figures here are statewide averages that change over time.
Property tax by state
How it’s calculated
Annual property tax = home value × effective property tax rate. The monthly figure divides that by 12. This page uses Iowa’s statewide average effective rate by default — replace it with your county or city rate for a closer estimate.
Effective rates are statewide averages (statewide average) and vary widely by county and municipality. Check your local assessor for an exact figure. Estimate only.
Results update as you type and are estimates, not professional advice — verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
Property tax rates by county in Iowa
Iowa’s average effective property tax rate is about 1.52% of home value — the #10 highest average rate of the 50 states and D.C.. Across Iowa’s 99 counties with Census data, effective rates run from 0.92% in Lyon to 1.79% in Union, and the median annual bill is about $1,976. Enter your own county’s rate below for a closer estimate.
| County | Effective rate | Median home value | Median annual tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest-tax counties | |||
| Union | 1.79% | $117,800 | $2,108 |
| Montgomery | 1.79% | $109,900 | $1,968 |
| Polk | 1.76% | $248,400 | $4,364 |
| Decatur | 1.69% | $109,500 | $1,856 |
| Linn | 1.66% | $204,400 | $3,396 |
| Wapello | 1.64% | $112,900 | $1,854 |
| Henry | 1.61% | $148,600 | $2,394 |
| Lowest-tax counties | |||
| Kossuth | 1.06% | $135,100 | $1,437 |
| Carroll | 1.05% | $175,700 | $1,849 |
| Osceola | 1.05% | $123,800 | $1,302 |
| Sac | 1.03% | $138,400 | $1,423 |
| O'Brien | 0.99% | $158,900 | $1,572 |
| Dickinson | 0.98% | $251,600 | $2,458 |
| Lyon | 0.92% | $215,600 | $1,983 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates (median real-estate taxes ÷ median home value, by county). Pulled June 2026.
Worked example
A $350,000 home in Iowa owes about $5,320 per year (about $443 per month) at the 1.52% average effective rate.
Common mistakes
- Using the state average instead of your county rate and assessment.
- Forgetting exemptions like homestead that lower the taxable value.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average property tax rate in Iowa?
About 1.52% of home value statewide for 2026 — the #10 highest average rate of the 50 states and D.C.. County-level effective rates range from 0.92% (Lyon) to 1.79% (Union).
Which Iowa county has the highest property taxes?
Union has the highest effective rate (1.79%), with a median annual bill of $2,108 on a median home value of $117,800. The lowest is Lyon at 0.92%.
Why is my bill different?
Assessments, exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran), and local levies vary by county, city, and school district. This page estimates from your home value and an average effective rate; your assessor’s statement is authoritative.