Cost to Own
United States › Iowa › Marshall County › Marshalltown Population 27,491 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 $532 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Marshall County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Marshalltown, Iowa

A $117,000 home here costs

$1,170

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 $50,000 a year.

P&I 55%Tax 15%Insurance 4%Utilities 18%Upkeep 8%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $638. The real number is $532 higher every month, 83% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Marshall County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Marshalltown median: $117,100
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, $93,600 borrowed $638
Property tax1.782% effective rate for Marshalltown itself $174
Homeowners insuranceIowa averages $1,043/yr (NAIC), or 0.522% of home value $51
Electricity17.06ยข/kWh, Iowa residential average, EIA $142
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $98
Total monthly $1,170

Marshalltown against Marshall County and Iowa

MeasureMarshalltownMarshall County
Median home value$117,100$134,100
Median property tax$2,087$2,030
Effective tax rate1.782%1.514%
Median gross rent$864$860
Population27,49139,971

The weather behind that power bill

Marshalltown sits in Marshall County, which averages a high of 83.1°F in its hottest month and a low of 10.1°F in its coldest, with 32.76" of precipitation a year and 42% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 727 cooling and 6,996 heating degree days, which is what sets the $142 electricity line above.

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

Other cities in Marshall County

Full Marshall County cost breakdown · Every county in Iowa

Talk to someone who works this market

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

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

Common questions

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

A $117,000 home in Marshalltown, Iowa costs approximately $1,170 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $638 principal and interest, $174 property tax, $51 homeowners insurance, $210 utilities and $98 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Marshalltown?

Marshalltown has an effective property tax rate of 1.782%, based on a median home value of $117,100 and median real estate taxes of $2,087. That is higher than the Marshall County average of 1.514%.

What is the average home price in Marshalltown?

The median owner-occupied home value in Marshalltown, Iowa is $117,100, against $134,100 across Marshall County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Marshalltown?

Median gross rent in Marshalltown is $864 a month, against $1,170 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 Marshalltown?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Marshalltown, Iowa at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $50,000 a year. That covers the full $1,170 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Marshalltown, 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