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Cost of homeownership in Jefferson County, Iowa

Real dollar cost of ownership, rent-vs-buy analysis, and flood risk, backed by Census ACS, FEMA, and FHFA data. Population: 15,785.

Median home value
$141,500
Median property tax
$2,273
Monthly owner cost
$1,304
with mortgage
Affordability (cost % of income)
16.5%

Total annual ownership cost

Breakdown of what owning a typical home in Jefferson County costs each year.

  • Property taxes$2,273
  • Insurance estimate$1,500
  • Utilities / energy$1,482
  • Maintenance (1% of value)$1,415
  • Total$6,670/yr · $556/mo

Insurance and energy figures typically vary by property. Adjust in the calculators for a personalized estimate.

Total
$6,670
/ year

Rent vs. buy in Jefferson County

Pre-filled with local median home value, median gross rent (Census ACS / HUD FMR), and current FRED rate.

Home price trend in Iowa

FHFA House Price Index, quarterly.

vs. Iowa average
Home value below state average.
Property tax above state average.
Homeownership
65.4%

Share of units owner-occupied (Census ACS).

Median household income
$52,210

Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Housing cost burden in Jefferson County

Share of households paying 30% or more of income on housing (HUD CHAS 2017-2021). HUD does not publish county-level CHAS rollups through the public API, so Iowa state data is shown for local context alongside the US average.

Iowa: 30%+ cost burdened
30.0%
912,970 households surveyed
Iowa: severely burdened (50%+)
13.0%
Paying at least half of income on housing.
Owner vs renter burden
Owner 30%+: 25.8%
Renter 30%+: 22.7%
Renters typically carry a heavier cost burden than owners with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Affordability by income bracket

Monthly 30% housing budget at each income vs the median owner cost in Jefferson County. Bars above the dashed line can absorb this county's typical ownership cost.

HUD area median income (4-person household) for Iowa: $99,800. Income limits define 80% AMI at $79,850 and 50% AMI at $49,900.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Jefferson County?

Based on Census ACS, typical total annual cost in Jefferson County is around $6,670 ($556 per month), covering property tax, insurance estimate, utilities, and 1% maintenance. Your actual cost varies by home age, size, and location within the county.

What is the property tax in Jefferson County?

Median annual property tax is $2,273 on the county's median home value of $141,500 (Census ACS).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Jefferson County?

Annual ownership cost is roughly 34% lower than annual rent at the county's median. Use the calculator below to model your specific situation.

What is the flood risk in Jefferson County?

FEMA NFIP data for Jefferson County is pending.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.