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City · 10,208 residents · Carroll County, Iowa

Carroll , Iowa

In Carroll, a typical home is worth $188,700 and typical rent is $722 a month. Compared with all of Carroll County, the typical home value is 7% higher and the share of households that own their home is 5 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $188,700

    7% above the county

    9% below Iowa

    • Carroll
    • County
    • Iowa

  • Typical rent

    $722a month

    About the same as the county

    26% below Iowa

    • Carroll
    • County
    • Iowa

  • Typical household income

    $69,706a year

    4% below the county

    7% below Iowa

    • Carroll
    • County
    • Iowa

  • Households that own their home

    72%

    5 points below the county

    About the same as Iowa

    • Carroll
    • County
    • Iowa

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$210,001
6.7% more than 12 months ago

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

Carroll is in Carroll 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 Carroll County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Carroll apart

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

  1. Carroll has the 3rd lowest typical rent of the 85 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($722).

  2. Nearby, in Perry, the typical home value is $121,400: 36% less than in Carroll ($188,700).

  3. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Carroll rose 6.7%; in Iowa, it rose 3.3%.

  4. 72% of households in Carroll own their home, against 77% in Carroll County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Carroll

What homes there are in Carroll, 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 Carroll (74%), but less so than in Carroll County (82%).

Year built

Here half of the homes date from 1971 or later; in Carroll County, from 1964 or later.

In Carroll, 68% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in Carroll County.

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

With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 92% of owner-occupied homes in Carroll sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,218 a month

Carroll County: $1,210 a month

Without a mortgage

$528 a month

Carroll County: $542 a month

Owners with a mortgage

52%

Carroll County: 51%

Owning costs about the same in Carroll as in Carroll County: with a mortgage, $1,218 a month; without one, $528.

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

Much as in Carroll County, the typical home value in Carroll rose 27% since 2015–2019.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Carroll rose 14%, less than in Carroll County (18%).

Here income gained ground: typical income rose 47%, against +27% for home values and +14% for rent.

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

MeasureCarrollCarroll 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 2.092.282.362.53
Drive alone 83%82%76%69%
Carpool 8%8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%3%3%
Work from home 6%7%11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute under 10 minutesUnreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

On average, a household in Carroll has 2.09 people, fewer than in Carroll County (2.28).

To get to work, 83% of workers in Carroll drive alone; in Carroll County, 82%.

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 Carroll?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Carroll, worth $188,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 28% of the typical household income in Carroll, which is $69,706 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Carroll. 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 $6,605 (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

$1,619

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$185,282
Total interest
$266,577
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $3,187 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,626 a month

    Your payment · 28%

  • Tight

    $1,626 to $2,091 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,091 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Carroll ($69,706 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,619
Principal & interest$1,255
Property tax$201
Home insurance$79
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$83

You need at least $6,605 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

Carroll and Carroll County

Carroll is in Carroll 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).

Carroll's own numbers

Typical home value
$188,700
Typical monthly rent
$722
Typical yearly household income
$69,706
Households that own their home
72%
Effective property tax rate
1.28%

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

Numbers for all of Carroll 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)
+43%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.3%

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 Carroll County.

Everything about Carroll County

Buying

Buying a home in Carroll

A typical home in Carroll is worth $188,700: 7% above the county and 9% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Carroll ($69,706 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 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.

  • Carroll 2.7 years
  • County 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 Carroll County

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

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

Period County Iowa U.S.
Last year (2025) +0.7% +3.2% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +43% +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

Carroll next to Carroll 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
  • Carroll $188,700
  • County $176,000
  • Iowa $208,000
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Carroll $722
  • County $731
  • Iowa $972
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Carroll $69,706
  • County $72,930
  • Iowa $75,059
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Carroll next to Carroll County and Iowa
Measure Carroll Carroll County Iowa U.S.
Typical home value $188,700 $176,000 $208,000 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $722 $731 $972 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $69,706 $72,930 $75,059 $80,734
Households that own their home 72% 77% 72% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,409 $1,916 $2,897 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.28% 1.09% 1.39% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 40% 36% 44% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Carroll 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 Carroll

For a typical $188,700 home in Carroll, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Carroll's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,619a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $6,605
    Cash to close
    $12,266
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $83

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,584a month

    Down payment
    $9,435
    Cash to close
    $15,096
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $90

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,303a month

    Down payment
    $37,740
    Cash to close
    $43,401
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,477a month

    Down payment
    $28,305
    Cash to close
    $33,966
    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 Carroll and for Carroll County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Carroll

1.28%of the home’s value each year

$2,409 a year for the typical owner in Carroll.

  • Carroll 1.28%
  • County 1.09%
  • Iowa 1.39%

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Iowa

Flood risk in Carroll County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.3%
28
Of those, with NFIP insurance
29%
County Iowa U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.3% 2.2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 29% 14% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Carroll

Typical rent in Carroll is $722 a month: about the same as the county. In Carroll, 40% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Carroll 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 Carroll 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 $796 $15.31 $31,840
1 bedroom $801 $15.40 $32,040
2 bedrooms $927 $17.83 $37,080
3 bedrooms $1,174 $22.58 $46,960
4 bedrooms $1,239 $23.83 $49,560

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 Carroll

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Carroll is in ZIP code 51401.

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

  • 51401 $930$1,170

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Carroll 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 Carroll

HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Carroll. These are the largest.

  • Meadow Wood of Carroll 1010 Woodland Dr, Carroll 51401 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 1 · 2 bd: 17 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 1998 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Monterey Point 822 Monterey Dr, Carroll 51401 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2002 · For older adults
  • Meadow Wood of Carroll Phase II 1102 Woodland Dr, Carroll 51401 24 homes, 23 low-income · 1 bd: 1 · 2 bd: 17 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2000 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Carrollton Apartments 807 E 8th St, Carroll 51401 23 low-income homes · For older adults (712) 792-1185
  • Harbor Crest 704 E 18th St, Carroll 51401 20 low-income homes · In service since 1992

See all 9 buildings in Carroll County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Carroll

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 Carroll County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A grandmother smiles, seated at home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Carroll

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

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Iowa

Housing counselors near Carroll

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Carroll, 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 · 71 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 · 72 miles away

    • Pre-purchase counseling
    (515) 471-8686

  • Center for Siouxland

    715 Douglas St, Sioux City · 84 miles away

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

All counseling agencies in Iowa

Help in Spanish near Carroll

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 Carroll

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Carroll County is named for Carroll or Carroll County.

2 other authorities have an office in Carroll County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

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

Everything about Carroll County Housing in Iowa

Neighboring counties

If Carroll 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 Carroll.

All guides
A mother and her daughters smile together on a mountain trail with a snowy peak behind them.

Questions

Housing questions about Carroll

Short answers with the numbers for Carroll and all of Carroll 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 Carroll?

The typical home value in Carroll is $188,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Carroll County it is $176,000.

How much does it cost to rent in Carroll?

Typical rent in Carroll is $722 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Carroll County is $927.

What is the FHA loan limit in Carroll?

Carroll uses the FHA limit for all of Carroll 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 Carroll?

The typical homeowner in Carroll pays $2,409 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.28% of the home’s value; in Carroll County, the rate is 1.09%.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Carroll 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).