Howard County Property Taxes

Howard County, Iowa

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

19.3% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$145/mo escrow

#41 of 99 counties in Iowa

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.30%

vs. Iowa Avg19.3% below
vs. National Avg35.2% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$133,900

State avg $160,608

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$1,744

$145/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$1,743

$145/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#41

of 99 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Howard County, Iowa

Howard's tax rate sits modestly below national median

Howard County's effective tax rate of 1.302% exceeds the national median of roughly 0.85%, though remains in the moderate range nationally. The median property tax of $1,744 represents 65% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Howard's lower home values within a middle-tier tax environment.

Howard slightly trails Iowa's average rate

At 1.302%, Howard's effective rate is marginally below Iowa's average of 1.344%, placing it among the state's more affordable counties. The median property tax of $1,744 trails Iowa's average of $2,160 by about $416, making Howard a reasonable choice for tax-conscious homeowners.

Moderate taxes in a diverse regional landscape

Howard's 1.302% rate sits comfortably between lower-taxed Hancock (1.192%) and higher-taxed Hardin (1.427%) and Henry (1.611%), making it a middle ground. With balanced rates and modest home values around $133,900, Howard appeals to budget-conscious buyers.

A $133,900 median home costs $1,744 yearly

Howard County homeowners with a median-valued property of $133,900 pay approximately $1,744 in annual property taxes. This moderate bill helps explain Howard's appeal to homeowners seeking reasonable tax burdens without sacrificing community services.

Assessment reviews can still yield savings

Even with moderate baseline taxes, Howard homeowners should verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales in the county. If your property is assessed above market value, an appeal could reduce your annual tax obligation by $100 to $300 or more.

How Howard County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Howard County$1,744
Iowa State Average$2,160
National Average$1,924

Howard County

1.30%

Effective rate

Iowa Avg

1.34%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Howard County, Iowa?
The effective property tax rate in Howard County, Iowa is 1.30%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Howard County?
The median annual property tax payment in Howard County is $1,744. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,744, while those without a mortgage pay $1,743.
How does Howard County compare to the Iowa average?
Howard County's effective tax rate of 1.30% is lower than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax in Howard County is $1,744, compared to the state average of $2,160.
What is the median home value in Howard County, Iowa?
The median home value in Howard County, Iowa is $133,900, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Is Howard County a low property tax area in Iowa?
Yes — Howard County's effective property tax rate of 1.30% is below the Iowa average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax of $1,744 is also lower the state average of $2,160, making it a relatively affordable area for property taxes.
How does Howard County rank for property taxes in Iowa?
Howard County ranks #41 out of 99 counties in Iowa by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.30% and median annual tax of $1,744, it falls in the middle third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in Iowa

Data updated: March 2026

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.