O'Brien County, Iowa Housing Market
In O'Brien County, Iowa, the median home value is $173,100, with a median monthly rent of $868. This places O'Brien County at #1738 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #40 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: $990
- Establishments: 561
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 14
- Multi-family: 4
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 5,787 (avg $79,045)
- Outflow: 5,510 (avg $80,861)
- IRS Statistics of Income
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| Metric | O'Brien County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $173,100 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $868 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 76.1% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 16.6 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in O'Brien County is 1.2% above the Iowa state average and 24.0% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $868/month is 4.3% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 16.6, the buy-vs-rent decision in O'Brien County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
O'Brien County has an owner-occupancy rate of 76.1%, compared to 75.8% in Iowa and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp County | Texas | $173,100 | $801 |
| Madison County | Illinois | $173,000 | $1,024 |
| Somerset County | Maryland | $173,200 | $1,013 |
| Wadena County | Minnesota | $173,000 | $746 |
| Howell County | Missouri | $173,000 | $733 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allamakee County | $172,300 | $796 | 79.6% |
| Jackson County | $175,000 | $807 | 80.7% |
| Mitchell County | $175,100 | $738 | 80.0% |
| Carroll County | $176,000 | $731 | 77.1% |
| Harrison County | $176,000 | $849 | 77.1% |
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).