Iowa Housing Market Trends
Real-time market data powered by Zillow Research. Last updated: 2026-03-03
Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Iowa?
The Iowa housing market is showing balanced conditions.
home values have grown a moderate 3.5% year-over-year. there are currently 461 homes on the market.
Median Home Value
$224,843
Zillow Home Value Index
Year-over-Year
+3.5%
Home value change
5-Year Change
+32.4%
Since 2021
Median Rent
$1,001/mo
Zillow Observed Rent Index
Active Listings
461
Homes for sale
Home Value Trends
5-year Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for Iowa vs. national average. ZHVI reflects the typical home value in the 35th-65th percentile range.
Rent Trends
Average rent in Iowa: $1,001/mo (+3.6% YoY)
Rent vs. Buy Analysis
With a median home value of $224,843 and average rent of $1,001/mo, the price-to-rent ratio in Iowa is 18.7. A ratio of 15-21 means it could go either way — run the numbers.
Run Full Rent vs. Buy CalculatorTop Markets in Iowa
Explore housing data for 12 metro areas in Iowa. Click any market for detailed trends and analysis.
Spirit Lake, IA
$366,663
Iowa City, IA
$287,473
Avg rent: $1,291/mo
Des Moines, IA
$284,525
Avg rent: $1,245/mo
Dubuque, IA
$263,734
Avg rent: $1,066/mo
Ames, IA
$253,188
Avg rent: $1,093/mo
Cedar Rapids, IA
$230,288
Avg rent: $1,095/mo
Sioux City, IA
$211,295
Avg rent: $1,149/mo
Waterloo, IA
$191,869
Avg rent: $1,084/mo
Mason City, IA
$188,649
Avg rent: $931/mo
Muscatine, IA
$188,446
Avg rent: $819/mo
Oskaloosa, IA
$186,537
Spencer, IA
$185,847
Continue Learning About Iowa
Market data provided by Zillow Research. Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) are trademarks of Zillow, Inc.