Cost to Own
United States › Nebraska › Dakota County › Dakota City Population 2,980 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $664 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Dakota County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Dakota City, Nebraska

A $170,000 home here costs

$1,591

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $68,000 a year.

P&I 58%Tax 14%Insurance 7%Utilities 12%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $927. The real number is $664 higher every month, 72% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Dakota County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Small-place caveat: the Census publishes these figures for Dakota City from a five-year rolling sample, and with about 2,980 residents that sample is small. The median home value here carries a much wider margin of error than a big-city figure does, so treat it as indicative rather than exact. The Dakota County figures are drawn from a far larger sample if you want a steadier number.

Dakota City median: $170,200
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
NE average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $136,000 borrowed $927
Property tax1.541% effective rate for Dakota City itself $218
Homeowners insuranceNebraska averages $1,684/yr (NAIC), or 0.755% of home value $107
Electricity13.54ยข/kWh, Nebraska residential average, EIA $129
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $142
Total monthly $1,591

Dakota City against Dakota County and Nebraska

MeasureDakota CityDakota County
Median home value$170,200$168,100
Median property tax$2,622$2,680
Effective tax rate1.541%1.594%
Median gross rent$1,046$1,053
Population2,98021,331

The weather behind that power bill

Dakota City sits in Dakota County, which averages a high of 85.0°F in its hottest month and a low of 10.4°F in its coldest, with 29.27" of precipitation a year and 40% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 866 cooling and 6,860 heating degree days, which is what sets the $129 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Dakota County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Dakota County

Full Dakota County cost breakdown · Every county in Nebraska

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Dakota City averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Dakota City every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Dakota City I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Dakota City?

A $170,000 home in Dakota City, Nebraska costs approximately $1,591 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $927 principal and interest, $218 property tax, $107 homeowners insurance, $197 utilities and $142 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Dakota City?

Dakota City has an effective property tax rate of 1.541%, based on a median home value of $170,200 and median real estate taxes of $2,622. That is lower than the Dakota County average of 1.594%.

What is the average home price in Dakota City?

The median owner-occupied home value in Dakota City, Nebraska is $170,200, against $168,100 across Dakota County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dakota City?

Median gross rent in Dakota City is $1,046 a month, against $1,591 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Dakota City?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Dakota City, Nebraska at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $68,000 a year. That covers the full $1,591 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Dakota City, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Nebraska.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology