Buena Vista County, Iowa Housing Market
In Buena Vista County, Iowa, the median home value is $159,500, with a median monthly rent of $894. This places Buena Vista County at #2027 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #52 within Iowa.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,067
- Establishments: 536
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 14
- Multi-family: 2
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 8,339 (avg $70,512)
- Outflow: 7,870 (avg $72,235)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 2 active ZIP codes in Buena Vista County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50588 | 237.1 | +2.02% | 2025 |
| 2 | 51002 | 218.7 | +4.10% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Buena Vista County Compares
| Metric | Buena Vista County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $159,500 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $894 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 73.2% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 14.9 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Buena Vista County is 6.7% below the Iowa state average and 30.0% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $894/month is 7.5% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 14.9, buying a home in Buena Vista County is generally more favorable than renting for those planning to stay long-term. A ratio below 15 typically signals that purchasing is financially advantageous over a multi-year horizon.
Buena Vista County has an owner-occupancy rate of 73.2%, compared to 75.8% in Iowa and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | Alabama | $159,500 | $780 |
| Laurel County | Kentucky | $159,500 | $813 |
| Ashtabula County | Ohio | $159,500 | $828 |
| Martin County | Indiana | $159,400 | $697 |
| Howard County | Missouri | $159,400 | $832 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | $158,700 | $758 | 75.5% |
| Adair County | $160,400 | $799 | 73.9% |
| Clinton County | $160,600 | $850 | 74.5% |
| Clarke County | $161,100 | $931 | 72.3% |
| Mahaska County | $157,800 | $793 | 68.0% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).