Washington County, Iowa Housing Market
In Washington County, Iowa, the median home value is $203,900, with a median monthly rent of $879. This places Washington County at #1361 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #22 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: $1,008
- Establishments: 805
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 13
- Multi-family: 12
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 9,200 (avg $77,761)
- Outflow: 8,773 (avg $78,662)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 1 active ZIP codes in Washington County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52353 | 206.8 | -3.30% | 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.
📝 Local Market Notes
Washington County, Iowa, functions as a balanced market with a slight lean toward affordability for homeowners, characterized by a price-to-income ratio of 2.70 compared to the national average of 3.20. The median home value of $203,900 sits 10.5% below the national mean, while the median household income of $75,647 exceeds the national benchmark by 11.2%. This favorable income-to-price dynamic is reinforced by a low rent burden of 13.9%, significantly under the national average of 17.2%, indicating that housing costs remain manageable relative to local earnings. However, the price-to-rent ratio of 19.3 slightly exceeds the national average of 18.7, suggesting that ownership offers a marginally better value proposition than renting in this specific timeframe. The market’s trajectory reveals a period of rapid appreciation followed by stabilization. Home values surged 14.6% year-over-year in 2022 and 9.4% in 2023, rising from $140,400 in 2017 to $203,900 in 2024. This growth has since moderated to a 2.2% increase in 2024, aligning closely with the recent FHFA House Price Index change of 1.40% in 2025. Notably, the county is currently underperforming the Iowa state average by 0.85 percentage points, despite home values being 19.2% higher than the state median. This divergence suggests that Washington County has priced out of its previous relative affordability advantage within the state, even as it remains competitive nationally. The sharp acceleration in prices between 2021 and 2023 contrasts with the steady, low-single-digit growth observed in preceding years, indicating a structural shift in demand rather than a temporary spike. Local economic fundamentals support this sustained value, with positive net migration of 427 filers and average inflow incomes of $77,761, which slightly exceed the county’s median household income. This demographic inflow, combined with a robust owner-occupancy rate of 74.0%, drives consistent housing demand. However, supply remains constrained, with only 25 new units authorized in 2025, including just 13 single-family homes. This limited new construction, paired with a national 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 7.40%, creates a barrier for first-time buyers despite the county’s lower absolute costs. The combination of net positive migration and tight supply suggests that current price levels are supported by fundamental demand, maintaining the market’s stability even as growth rates normalize.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Washington County Compares
| Metric | Washington County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $203,900 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $879 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 74.0% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 19.3 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Washington County is 19.2% above the Iowa state average and 10.5% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $879/month is 5.6% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 19.3, the buy-vs-rent decision in Washington County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Washington County has an owner-occupancy rate of 74.0%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | Texas | $203,900 | $1,065 |
| Champaign County | Ohio | $204,000 | $905 |
| Union County | Tennessee | $204,000 | $847 |
| Cooper County | Missouri | $203,500 | $782 |
| Westmoreland County | Pennsylvania | $203,500 | $879 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | $208,200 | $826 | 85.0% |
| Grundy County | $198,800 | $774 | 84.5% |
| Poweshiek County | $209,300 | $883 | 71.2% |
| Cedar County | $211,300 | $879 | 81.5% |
| Pottawattamie County | $195,700 | $1,018 | 69.9% |
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).