Cost to Own
United States › Iowa › Madison County › Winterset Population 5,384 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 $727 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Madison County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Winterset, Iowa

A $182,000 home here costs

$1,719

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 $73,500 a year.

P&I 58%Tax 17%Insurance 5%Utilities 12%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $992. The real number is $727 higher every month, 73% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Madison County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Winterset median: $181,500
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, $145,600 borrowed $992
Property tax1.885% effective rate for Winterset itself $286
Homeowners insuranceIowa averages $1,043/yr (NAIC), or 0.522% of home value $79
Electricity17.06ยข/kWh, Iowa residential average, EIA $142
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $152
Total monthly $1,719

Winterset against Madison County and Iowa

MeasureWintersetMadison County
Median home value$181,500$236,900
Median property tax$3,422$3,681
Effective tax rate1.885%1.554%
Median gross rent$943$938
Population5,38416,760

The weather behind that power bill

Winterset sits in Madison County, which averages a high of 83.8°F in its hottest month and a low of 9.8°F in its coldest, with 34.79" of precipitation a year and 39% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 738 cooling and 6,870 heating degree days, which is what sets the $142 electricity line above.

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

Other cities in Madison County

Full Madison County cost breakdown · Every county in Iowa

Talk to someone who works this market

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

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

Common questions

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

A $182,000 home in Winterset, Iowa costs approximately $1,719 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $992 principal and interest, $286 property tax, $79 homeowners insurance, $210 utilities and $152 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Winterset?

Winterset has an effective property tax rate of 1.885%, based on a median home value of $181,500 and median real estate taxes of $3,422. That is higher than the Madison County average of 1.554%.

What is the average home price in Winterset?

The median owner-occupied home value in Winterset, Iowa is $181,500, against $236,900 across Madison County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Winterset?

Median gross rent in Winterset is $943 a month, against $1,719 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 Winterset?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Winterset, Iowa at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $73,500 a year. That covers the full $1,719 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

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