Cost to Own
United States › Iowa › Scott County › Eldridge Population 6,743 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-15
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $942 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Scott County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Eldridge, Iowa

A $329,000 home here costs

$2,764

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.40% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $118,500 a year.

P&I 66%Tax 12%Insurance 5%Utilities 7%Upkeep 10%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,822. The real number is $942 higher every month, 52% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Scott County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Eldridge median: $329,400
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
IA 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, $263,200 borrowed $1,822
Property tax1.179% effective rate for Eldridge itself $323
Homeowners insuranceIowa averages $1,043/yr (NAIC), or 0.522% of home value $143
Electricity15.99ยข/kWh, Iowa residential average, EIA $133
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $274
Total monthly $2,764

Eldridge against Scott County and Iowa

MeasureEldridgeScott County
Median home value$329,400$212,500
Median property tax$3,882$3,221
Effective tax rate1.179%1.516%
Median gross rent$845$958
Population6,743174,302

The weather behind that power bill

Eldridge sits in Scott County, which averages a high of 83.8°F in its hottest month and a low of 14.0°F in its coldest, with 36.17" of precipitation a year and 38% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 879 cooling and 6,326 heating degree days, which is what sets the $133 electricity line above.

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

Other cities in Scott County

Full Scott County cost breakdown · Every county in Iowa

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Eldridge 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 Eldridge every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

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

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Eldridge?

A $329,000 home in Eldridge, Iowa costs approximately $2,764 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $1,822 principal and interest, $323 property tax, $143 homeowners insurance, $201 utilities and $274 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Eldridge?

Eldridge has an effective property tax rate of 1.179%, based on a median home value of $329,400 and median real estate taxes of $3,882. That is lower than the Scott County average of 1.516%.

What is the average home price in Eldridge?

The median owner-occupied home value in Eldridge, Iowa is $329,400, against $212,500 across Scott County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Eldridge?

Median gross rent in Eldridge is $845 a month, against $2,764 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 Eldridge?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Eldridge, Iowa at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $118,500 a year. That covers the full $2,764 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Eldridge, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Iowa.
  • 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