Palo Alto County, Iowa Housing Market
In Palo Alto County, Iowa, the median home value is $123,200, with a median monthly rent of $638. This places Palo Alto County at #2577 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #83 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: $952
- Establishments: 292
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 4
- Multi-family: 2
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 3,605 (avg $74,143)
- Outflow: 3,412 (avg $75,445)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 1 active ZIP codes in Palo Alto County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50536 | 272.5 | +17.11% | 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 Palo Alto County Compares
| Metric | Palo Alto County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $123,200 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $638 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 77.1% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 16.1 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Palo Alto County is 28.0% below the Iowa state average and 45.9% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $638/month is 23.3% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 16.1, the buy-vs-rent decision in Palo Alto County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Palo Alto County has an owner-occupancy rate of 77.1%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabine Parish | Louisiana | $123,100 | $701 |
| Linn County | Missouri | $123,300 | $620 |
| Ottawa County | Oklahoma | $123,300 | $788 |
| Spink County | South Dakota | $123,300 | $734 |
| Choctaw County | Alabama | $123,400 | $543 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osceola County | $122,600 | $797 | 77.9% |
| Hardin County | $122,500 | $795 | 73.6% |
| Franklin County | $124,100 | $696 | 72.4% |
| Appanoose County | $124,200 | $784 | 68.8% |
| Union County | $122,000 | $721 | 72.1% |
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).