Property Tax in Iowa (2026): Rates, Exemptions, and Real Numbers

Iowa Property Tax Rates by County

Highest and lowest effective rates within Iowa

Property Tax Calculator — Iowa

Pre-loaded with Iowa's 1.46% effective rate and $211,400 median price

Property Tax by City in Iowa

Annual and monthly property tax by city, based on local median prices and the statewide effective rate

Iowa Homestead Exemption

How Iowa Assesses Property Values

Assessment cycle: Biennial reassessment (odd years). Properties assessed at 100% of market value by county assessors.

Property Tax's Impact on Your True Monthly Cost

On a $211,400 home in Iowa

Property tax represents 13% of the true monthly cost in Iowa.

Mortgage Calculator Including Property Tax — Iowa

See your full PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) payment

How Iowa's Property Tax Affects Affordability

$257/month in property tax reduces the home price you can afford. Use the affordability calculator to see the real impact.

Property Tax After Refinancing in Iowa

Refinancing changes your P&I but not your property tax. If your home was reassessed at a higher value, your tax bill increases regardless of your rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Iowa?

Iowa's effective property tax rate is 1.46%, ranking #11 nationally. The median annual property tax bill is $3,087 ($257/month). Rates range from 0.98% in Osceola County to 1.65% in Polk County (Des Moines). Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024.

Does Iowa have a homestead exemption?

Yes — Iowa offers a homestead exemption for primary residences. Homestead Tax Credit: credits a portion of the school tax for owner-occupied primary residences. Maximum credit of $4,850. Elderly/disabled property tax credit available for homeowners 65+ or permanently disabled with qualifying income.. Apply through your county assessor's office after purchasing your home.

How often is property reassessed in Iowa?

Iowa reassesses property on a biennial reassessment (odd years). properties assessed at 100% of market value by county assessors. basis. When your property is reassessed, your tax bill changes based on the new assessed value multiplied by the applicable rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, you can appeal — most counties allow 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice.

How is property tax calculated in Iowa?

Property tax = Assessed Value × Mill Rate (or effective rate). In Iowa, the effective rate is 1.46% of market value. On a $211,400 home: $211,400 × 1.46% = $3,087/year. Assessments may use a fraction of market value — the effective rate accounts for this.

Can I appeal my property tax assessment in Iowa?

Yes. If your assessed value is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can file an appeal with your county assessment board. Steps: (1) Get your assessment notice, (2) Research comparable recent sales, (3) File an appeal by the deadline (typically 30-90 days from assessment notice). Studies show 20-40% of appeals result in a reduction. The process is free and you represent yourself — no attorney required.

Are property taxes included in my mortgage payment in Iowa?

Most lenders require an escrow account that collects $257/month ($3,087/year ÷ 12) along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If your loan-to-value is below 80%, you may be able to opt out of escrow and pay taxes directly. Note: if your assessed value rises, your escrow payment adjusts and your total monthly cost increases.

What Iowa counties have the highest and lowest property taxes?

Iowa's highest effective rate is in Polk County (Des Moines) at 1.65%. The lowest is Osceola County at 0.98%. That's a 0.67% spread — on a $211,400 home, the difference is $1,416/year.