What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday
What a paycheck buys in Iowa this week
A median Iowa household earning $81,890 Median household income (Iowa, current dollars) U.S. Census Bureau · 2025 Annual release · FRED MEHOINUSIAA646N ↗ a year can afford a home of about $259,000 at this week’s 7.32% 30-year fixed mortgage rate (U.S. average) Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey · week of Oct 22, 2026 Weekly release · FRED MORTGAGE30US ↗ average 30-year rate. The median Iowa listing is $284,900 Median list price (Iowa) Realtor.com · September 2026 Monthly release · FRED MEDLISPRIIA ↗ , which would take 30.9% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.
Compared with a year ago
A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $275,000 and median income of $84,370 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $293,000 and the median listing took 26.3% of income. Affordability in Iowa has worsened since then.
Nearby in the ranking
- #2 Ohio: can afford $269,000, median listing $284,000
- #3 Kansas: can afford $270,000, median listing $296,000
- #5 Illinois: can afford $294,000, median listing $325,000
- #6 Missouri: can afford $267,000, median listing $300,000
Iowa housing market report → · Iowa brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →
How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.