FiscalCalc

Home Affordability Calculator in Iowa

In Iowa, the median home costs $200K and the median household income is $65K/year. Find out how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment.

$200K
Median Home Price
$65K/yr
Median Income
10%
Avg Down Payment
90 / 100
Cost of Living
$

Before taxes — use your total household income

$

Car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc. — not utilities

$
%

How Much House Can You Afford in Iowa?

Lenders typically use the 28/36 rule: your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total debt payments should stay under 36%. With Iowa's median income of $65,000/year ($5,417/month), that means a maximum housing payment of roughly $1,517/month.

At 6.89% over 30 years with a 10% down payment ($20,000), that monthly budget supports a purchase price of approximately $190,000–$200,000. The median home price in Iowa is $200,000, which means housing is more affordable than the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions — Home Affordability in Iowa

How much house can I afford in Iowa?+
With the median household income of $65,000 in Iowa, the 28% housing rule allows a maximum monthly payment of $1,517. At 6.89% over 30 years with 10% down, that supports a purchase price of roughly $251K. The median home in Iowa is $200K.
What is the median home price in Iowa?+
The median home price in Iowa is $200,000 (2026). Prices vary significantly by metro — urban areas typically run 20–50% above the state median, while rural areas may be well below. The cost of living index for Iowa is 90 (100 = national average).
What income do I need to afford the median home in Iowa?+
To afford the $200K median home in Iowa with a 10% down payment ($20,000) and 6.89% rate (30 years), you need a gross annual income of at least $75,000 — following the 28% rule. The state median household income is $65,000.
What debt-to-income ratio do lenders require in Iowa?+
Lenders in Iowa (and nationwide) generally require a total DTI below 43% for conventional loans, with 36% preferred. FHA loans allow up to 50% DTI in some cases. This means your total monthly debt payments — mortgage, car loan, student loans, and credit cards — should not exceed 43% of your gross monthly income ($2,329 on the Iowa median income).
How does Iowa's cost of living affect home affordability?+
Iowa has a cost of living index of 90 (100 = national average). Iowa's cost of living is near the national average, so total housing affordability is similar to most other states.

Data Sources & Methodology

Median home prices from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Median household income from U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Mortgage rates from Freddie Mac PMMS. Affordability calculations use the 28/36 DTI rule per Fannie Mae guidelines. Last updated 2026.

← View general Home Affordability Calculator

Home Affordability by State

Compare home affordability across all 50 states using local income and price data.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming