Iowa Property Tax Calculator
Iowa property taxes are billed by the county but built by many hands: city councils, school boards, and county boards each certify a levy, and the combined rate lands on your property's taxable value. Owners can claim homestead-type credits and can protest an assessment they believe is high. The figures behind this page are county medians from official data — select your Iowa county above to generate an estimate.
Annual Property Tax
$2,760Monthly (Escrow)
$230Effective Rate
1.33%Highest property tax counties in Iowa
Effective rate = aggregate real-estate taxes paid ÷ aggregate home value (ACS 2024 5-year).
| County | Effective Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 1.57% | $262,100 |
| Davis County | 1.52% | $161,900 |
| Union County | 1.49% | $122,000 |
| Linn County | 1.47% | $214,300 |
| Scott County | 1.44% | $222,000 |
| Henry County | 1.43% | $164,300 |
| Johnson County | 1.40% | $308,600 |
| Cass County | 1.40% | $150,300 |
| Warren County | 1.39% | $269,600 |
| Webster County | 1.39% | $153,800 |
How property tax works in Iowa
- City, school, and county boards each certify a levy; the combined rate is applied to taxable value.
- Homestead-type credits reduce the amount actually due for eligible owner-occupants.
- Protests are heard locally when owners dispute an assessment.
Methodology
Rates are aggregate-derived from the Census Bureau's ACS 2024 5-year American Community Survey (total real-estate taxes paid ÷ total home value, by county). This is a statistical estimate, not a bill lookup — actual property tax bills vary by city, school district, and special-district levies layered on top of the county rate, and by any homestead, senior, veteran, or other exemptions you qualify for. Iowa ranks #9 of 51 (including DC) by statewide average effective rate, where #1 is the highest.
Need your Iowa income tax too? Use the Iowa income tax calculator .
Compare property tax across every state at the property tax calculator , or see whether your property tax deduction is capped at the SALT deduction cap calculator .
Frequently asked questions
How is property tax calculated in Iowa?
Your property's taxable value is determined through assessment, and the levies certified by the city, school board, and county board combine into one rate applied against it. Credits for eligible owners come off the resulting bill.
How much property tax will I pay in Iowa?
That turns on your county's combined levies and your home's value. The calculator above uses your Iowa county's median effective rate — enter a value and read the annual and monthly estimates.
Can I lower my Iowa property tax bill?
Homestead-type credits directly reduce the amount due for eligible owner-occupants, with added relief for some seniors, veterans, and service members. A local protest can correct an assessment that overstates what the home is worth.
Are property taxes deductible?
On a federal itemized return, yes — property tax is a SALT-deduction item, and the deduction as a whole has a cap written into federal law. The IRS publishes the operative number.
Sources
Related insights
Use these guides for rule explanations, planning context, and follow-up questions beyond the calculator result.