Iowa Property Tax Calculator

Property tax in Iowa

Iowa ranks #39 of 51 for property tax burden (middle of the pack in the country). The state-wide effective rate of 1.57% is a weighted median — individual counties and municipalities can be meaningfully higher or lower.

How property tax is calculated

The basic formula is straightforward:

Annual Tax = (Assessed Value − Exemptions) × Effective Tax Rate

Three numbers determine your bill: the assessed value (set by your county assessor, often lower than market value), any exemptions you qualify for (homestead, senior, veteran, disability), and the combined millage rate applied by your state, county, school district, and any special districts.

Common exemptions in Iowa

• Homestead exemption — reduces the taxable value of your primary residence. Most states offer one; some (like Florida and Texas) have generous caps.
• Senior (65+) exemption — additional reduction or rate freeze for older homeowners; check Iowa eligibility rules.
• Veteran / disability exemption — partial or full exemption for qualifying veterans and people with disabilities.
• Agricultural / conservation — for qualifying land use; not applicable to most residential calculations.

Use the exemption fields above to model your specific situation. Confirm eligibility and current dollar amounts with your Iowa county assessor — exemption amounts change annually.

How Iowa compares

Lowest-tax states (effective rates under 0.6%): Hawaii, Alabama, Colorado, Nevada, Louisiana. Highest-tax states (above 2%): New Jersey, Illinois, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont. Iowa's 1.57% effective rate puts it in the upper third of US states.

Compare property tax across all 50 states