Cost to Own
United States › Iowa › Scott County › Walcott Population 1,895 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 $613 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 Walcott, Iowa

A $172,000 home here costs

$1,565

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 $67,000 a year.

P&I 61%Tax 12%Insurance 5%Utilities 13%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $953. The real number is $613 higher every month, 64% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Scott County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Small-place caveat: the Census publishes these figures for Walcott from a five-year rolling sample, and with about 1,895 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 Scott County figures are drawn from a far larger sample if you want a steadier number.

Walcott median: $171,800
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, $137,600 borrowed $953
Property tax1.350% effective rate for Walcott itself $194
Homeowners insuranceIowa averages $1,043/yr (NAIC), or 0.522% of home value $75
Electricity15.99ยข/kWh, Iowa residential average, EIA $133
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $143
Total monthly $1,565

Walcott against Scott County and Iowa

MeasureWalcottScott County
Median home value$171,800$212,500
Median property tax$2,320$3,221
Effective tax rate1.350%1.516%
Median gross rent$778$958
Population1,895174,302

Walcott extends across 2 counties. Figures here use Scott County, where most of its housing sits.

The weather behind that power bill

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

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

Common questions

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

A $172,000 home in Walcott, Iowa costs approximately $1,565 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $953 principal and interest, $194 property tax, $75 homeowners insurance, $201 utilities and $143 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Walcott?

Walcott has an effective property tax rate of 1.350%, based on a median home value of $171,800 and median real estate taxes of $2,320. That is lower than the Scott County average of 1.516%.

What is the average home price in Walcott?

The median owner-occupied home value in Walcott, Iowa is $171,800, against $212,500 across Scott County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Walcott?

Median gross rent in Walcott is $778 a month, against $1,565 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 Walcott?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Walcott, Iowa at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $67,000 a year. That covers the full $1,565 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

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