Story County, Iowa Housing Market
In Story County, Iowa, the median home value is $258,700, with a median monthly rent of $1,018. This places Story County at #842 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #7 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: $1,194
- Establishments: 2,913
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 135
- Multi-family: 50
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 33,969 (avg $92,995)
- Outflow: 31,845 (avg $95,065)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 4 active ZIP codes in Story County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50010 | 211.9 | +2.32% | 2025 |
| 2 | 50201 | 228.1 | +9.20% | 2025 |
| 3 | 50236 | 207.9 | -1.96% | 2025 |
| 4 | 50105 | 221.1 | +1.38% | 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 Story County Compares
| Metric | Story County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $258,700 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,018 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 55.5% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 21.2 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Story County is 51.3% above the Iowa state average and 13.6% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,018/month is 22.4% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 21.2, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Story County has an owner-occupancy rate of 55.5%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem city | Virginia | $258,600 | $1,133 |
| Sauk County | Wisconsin | $258,600 | $1,018 |
| Butler County | Ohio | $258,500 | $1,135 |
| Rensselaer County | New York | $258,400 | $1,217 |
| Wakulla County | Florida | $258,300 | $1,108 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winneshiek County | $259,200 | $861 | 74.2% |
| Polk County | $262,100 | $1,149 | 67.4% |
| Sioux County | $250,100 | $908 | 76.1% |
| Warren County | $269,600 | $973 | 82.3% |
| Dickinson County | $270,700 | $922 | 77.5% |
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).