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City · 6,763 residents · Cass County, Iowa

Atlantic , Iowa

In Atlantic, a typical home is worth $149,900 and typical rent is $764 a month. Compared with all of Cass County, the share of households that own their home is 9 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $149,900

    About the same as the county

    28% below Iowa

    • Atlantic
    • Cass
    • Iowa

  • Typical rent

    $764a month

    About the same as the county

    21% below Iowa

    • Atlantic
    • Cass
    • Iowa

  • Typical household income

    $61,141a year

    3% below the county

    19% below Iowa

    • Atlantic
    • Cass
    • Iowa

  • Households that own their home

    63%

    9 points below the county

    9 points below Iowa

    • Atlantic
    • Cass
    • Iowa

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$161,481
3.4% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Atlantic is in Cass County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Cass County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Atlantic apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Red Oak, the typical home value is $99,700: 33% less than in Atlantic ($149,900).

  2. 63% of households in Atlantic own their home, against 72% in Cass County.

  3. Atlantic has the 9th lowest typical rent of the 85 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($764).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Atlantic

What homes there are in Atlantic, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses are the majority in Atlantic (73%), but less so than in Cass County (82%).

Year built

By age, homes in Atlantic look like those in Cass County: the typical year built is 1959.

There are fewer big homes in Atlantic than in Cass County: 52% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 59%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

At least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Atlantic are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for Cass County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,068 a month

Cass County: $1,128 a month

Without a mortgage

$561 a month

Cass County: $561 a month

Owners with a mortgage

61%

Cass County: 50%

Owning costs less in Atlantic: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,068 a month; in Cass County, $1,128. Without one, $561.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Atlantic rose 31% since 2015–2019, less than in Cass County (47%).

The typical rent in Atlantic rose 23% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Cass County (20%).

Income in Atlantic grew faster than housing: it rose 47%, while home values changed +31% and rent +23%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureAtlanticCass CountyIowaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate5.7%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.022.202.362.53
Drive alone 80%80%76%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate5%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate4%3%3%
Work from home 10%10%11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute under 10 minutesUnreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Atlantic are smaller: 2.02 people on average; in Cass County, 2.20.

The car rules in Atlantic: 80% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes under 10 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Atlantic?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Atlantic, worth $149,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 26% of the typical household income in Atlantic, which is $61,141 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cass County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Atlantic. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,247 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,323

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$147,184
Total interest
$211,764
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,531 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,427 a month

    Your payment · 26%

  • Tight

    $1,427 to $1,834 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,834 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Atlantic ($61,141 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,323
Principal & interest$997
Property tax$197
Home insurance$63
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$66

You need at least $5,247 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Atlantic and Cass County

Atlantic is in Cass County, Iowa. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Atlantic's own numbers

Typical home value
$149,900
Typical monthly rent
$764
Typical yearly household income
$61,141
Households that own their home
63%
Effective property tax rate
1.58%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Cass County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$927
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+45%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.3%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Cass County.

Everything about Cass County

Buying

Buying a home in Atlantic

A typical home in Atlantic is worth $149,900: about the same as the county and 28% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Atlantic ($61,141 a year), a typical home costs 2.5 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Atlantic 2.5 years
  • Cass 2.4 years
  • Iowa 2.8 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Cass County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Cass County rose 70% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Cass County.

Period County Iowa U.S.
Last year (2025) +1.2% +3.2% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +45% +41% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +70% +65% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Atlantic next to Cass County, Iowa and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Atlantic $149,900
  • Cass $150,300
  • Iowa $208,000
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Atlantic $764
  • Cass $777
  • Iowa $972
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Atlantic $61,141
  • Cass $63,013
  • Iowa $75,059
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Atlantic next to Cass County and Iowa
Measure Atlantic Cass County Iowa U.S.
Typical home value $149,900 $150,300 $208,000 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $764 $777 $972 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $61,141 $63,013 $75,059 $80,734
Households that own their home 63% 72% 72% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,368 $2,019 $2,897 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.58% 1.34% 1.39% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 54% 49% 44% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Cass County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Atlantic

For a typical $149,900 home in Atlantic, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Atlantic's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,323a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,247
    Cash to close
    $9,744
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $66

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,296a month

    Down payment
    $7,495
    Cash to close
    $11,992
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $71

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,072a month

    Down payment
    $29,980
    Cash to close
    $34,477
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,211a month

    Down payment
    $22,485
    Cash to close
    $26,982
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Atlantic and for Cass County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Atlantic

1.58%of the home’s value each year

$2,368 a year for the typical owner in Atlantic.

  • Atlantic 1.58%
  • Cass 1.34%
  • Iowa 1.39%

What Iowa publishes Homestead exemption: 10% of taxable value (Iowa Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Iowa

Flood risk in Cass County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Cass County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.3%
80
Of those, with NFIP insurance
20%
County Iowa U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.3% 2.2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 20% 14% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Atlantic

Typical rent in Atlantic is $764 a month: about the same as the county. In Atlantic, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Cass County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($927 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $17.83 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Cass County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $688 $13.23 $27,520
1 bedroom $727 $13.98 $29,080
2 bedrooms $927 $17.83 $37,080
3 bedrooms $1,284 $24.69 $51,360
4 bedrooms $1,533 $29.48 $61,320

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Atlantic

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Atlantic is in ZIP code 50022.

For 2 bedrooms it is $930: $3 more than the fair market rent for Cass County ($927).

  • 50022 $930$1,290

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Atlantic when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Atlantic

HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Atlantic. These are the largest.

  • Atlantic Sundance Apts 1406 E 22nd St, Atlantic 50022 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1998 · For families
  • Royal Oak II Apartments 501 E 5th St, Atlantic 50022 29 low-income homes · For older adults (712) 243-1780
  • Regency Villa Apartments 1601 Redwood Dr, Atlantic 50022 24 homes, 20 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2015 · For older adults

See all 3 buildings in Cass County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Atlantic

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Cass County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

An older man and his daughter go over papers with a professional.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Atlantic

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Atlantic or Cass County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Atlantic the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Iowa

Housing counselors near Atlantic

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Atlantic, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc. (home, Inc.)

    1618 6th Ave, Des Moines · 74 miles away · Spanish

    • Home improvement and repairs
    • Homelessness services
    • and 5 more
    (515) 243-1277

  • Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity

    95 University Ave, Des Moines · 74 miles away

    • Pre-purchase counseling
    (515) 471-8686

  • Center for Siouxland

    715 Douglas St, Sioux City · 104 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 9 more
    (712) 252-1861

All counseling agencies in Iowa

Help in Spanish near Atlantic

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Atlantic

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in Cass County. One in a neighboring county or the state’s may serve the area.

All housing agencies in Iowa Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Atlantic, with the typical home value.

Everything about Cass County Housing in Iowa

Neighboring counties

If Cass County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Atlantic.

All guides
A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

Questions

Housing questions about Atlantic

Short answers with the numbers for Atlantic and all of Cass County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Atlantic?

The typical home value in Atlantic is $149,900, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Cass County it is $150,300.

How much does it cost to rent in Atlantic?

Typical rent in Atlantic is $764 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Cass County is $927.

What is the FHA loan limit in Atlantic?

Atlantic uses the FHA limit for all of Cass County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Atlantic?

The typical homeowner in Atlantic pays $2,368 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.58% of the home’s value; in Cass County, the rate is 1.34%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Atlantic?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Cass County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).