In Charles City, a typical home is worth $115,400 and typical rent is $735 a month. Compared with all of Floyd County, the typical home value is 20% lower, typical household income is 14% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 9 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $116,797 to $144,639.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Charles City is in Floyd 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 Floyd County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Charles City rose 9.4%; in Iowa, it rose 3.3%.
2
Charles City has the 6th lowest typical rent of the 85 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($735).
3
The typical home in Charles City is worth $115,400,20% less than in Floyd County as a whole ($143,500).
4
68% of households in Charles City own their home, against 77% in Floyd County.
Sources: Zillow (September 2026 data); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Charles City
What homes there are in Charles City, 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 houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Charles City
Floyd County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Charles City and its comparisons
Measure
Charles City
Floyd County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
78%
85%
72%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
10%
6%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
7%
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses are the majority in Charles City (78%), but less so than in Floyd County (85%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Charles City
Floyd County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Charles City and its comparisons
Measure
Charles City
Floyd County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
50%
53%
38%
26%
1960–1979
41%
30%
24%
24%
1980–1999
Unreliable estimate
7%
17%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
6%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
4%
11%
11%
In Charles City, half of the homes were built before 1960; in Floyd County, before 1958.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K43%
$100K–$200K40%
$200K–$300K12%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Charles City and its comparisons
Measure
Charles City
Under $100K
43%
$100K–$200K
40%
$200K–$300K
12%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50026%
$500–$99957%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $927
$1,000–$1,49917%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Charles City and its comparisons
Measure
Charles City
Under $500
26%
$500–$999
57%
$1,000–$1,499
17%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Floyd County is $927; about 75% of rents in Charles City are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,144 a month
Floyd County: $1,287 a month
Without a mortgage
$452 a month
Floyd County: $495 a month
Owners with a mortgage
54%
Floyd County: 53%
In Charles City, 54% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,144 a month, against $1,287 in Floyd County. Without one it drops to $452.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Charles City+23%
Floyd County+35%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Charles City+39%
Floyd County+38%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Charles City+44%
Floyd County+36%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Charles City and its comparisons
Measure
Charles City
Floyd County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+23%
+35%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+39%
+38%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+44%
+36%
+24%
+29%
Homes in Charles City gained value more slowly than in Floyd County: 23% since 2015–2019, against 35%.
The typical rent in Charles City rose 39% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Floyd County (38%).
Income in Charles City grew faster than housing: it rose 44%, while home values changed +23% and rent +39%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Charles City and its comparisons
Measure
Charles City
Floyd County
Iowa
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.18
2.32
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
81%
81%
76%
69%
Carpool
12%
9%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
8%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Charles City has 2.18 people, fewer than in Floyd County (2.32).
Carpooling is common in Charles City: 12% of workers get to work that way, against 9% in Floyd County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Charles City?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Charles City, worth $115,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 21% of the typical household income in Charles City, which is $59,180 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Floyd County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Charles City. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $4,039 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,013
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$113,310
Total interest
$163,026
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $1,949 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,381 a month
Your payment · 21%
Tight
$1,381 to $1,775 a month
Hard
more than $1,775 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Charles City ($59,180 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$768
Property tax
$146
Home insurance
$48
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$51
You need at least $4,039 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
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.
Total monthly payment $1,013; principal and interest $768.
The city and its county
Charles City and Floyd County
Charles City is in Floyd 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).
Charles City
Map of Floyd County, Iowa, with Charles City marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Charles City
Floyd County
Charles City's own numbers
Typical home value
$115,400
Typical monthly rent
$735
Typical yearly household income
$59,180
Households that own their home
68%
Effective property tax rate
1.52%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Floyd 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)
+28%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
4.6%
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 Floyd County.
A typical home in Charles City is worth $115,400: 20% below the county and 45% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Charles City ($59,180 a year), a typical home costs 1.9 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.
Charles City1.9 years
Floyd2.1 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Floyd County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Floyd County rose 47% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Floyd County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Floyd County, 2016 to 2025
2016: −0.3% −0.3% 2016
2017: +1.7% +1.7% 2017
2018: +7.5% +7.5% 2018
2019: +0.9% +0.9% 2019
2020: +5.1% +5.1% 2020
2021: +6.4% +6.4% 2021
2022: +10.0% +10.0% 2022
2023: −0.2% −0.2% 2023
2024: +6.8% +6.8% 2024
2025: +2.2% +2.2% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Floyd County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.2%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+28%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+47%
+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
Charles City next to Floyd 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
Charles City$115,400
Floyd$143,500
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Charles City$735
Floyd$745
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Charles City$59,180
Floyd$68,557
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Charles City next to Floyd County and Iowa
Measure
Charles City
Floyd County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$115,400 ▼20% below the county
$143,500
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$735
$745
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$59,180 ▼14% below the county
$68,557
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
68% ▼9 points below the county
77%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,754 ▼9% below the county
$1,929
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.52% ▲0.18 points above the county
1.34%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
49% ▲5 points above the county
44%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Floyd 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 Charles City
For a typical $115,400 home in Charles City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Charles City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,013a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$4,039
Cash to close
$7,501
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $51
Conventional, 5% down$992a month
Down payment
$5,770
Cash to close
$9,232
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $55
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$820a month
Down payment
$23,080
Cash to close
$26,542
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$926a month
Down payment
$17,310
Cash to close
$20,772
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Charles City
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,013
$4,039
$113,310
7.18%
FHA MIP · $51
$7,501
580
Conventional, 5% down
$992
$5,770
$109,630
7.18%
PMI · $55
$9,232
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$820
$23,080
$92,320
7.18%
None
$26,542
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$926
$17,310
$98,090
8.18%
None
$20,772
Set by the lender
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.
Typical rent in Charles City is $735 a month: about the same as the county. In Charles City, 49% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Floyd 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.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Floyd County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$688
$13.23
$27,520
1 bedroom
$709
$13.63
$28,360
2 bedrooms
$927
$17.83
$37,080
3 bedrooms
$1,136
$21.85
$45,440
4 bedrooms
$1,359
$26.13
$54,360
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 Charles City
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Charles City is in ZIP code 50616.
For 2 bedrooms it is $930: $3 more than the fair market rent for Floyd County ($927).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Charles City, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
50616
$690
$710
$930
$1,160
$1,360
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
50616 $930$1,160
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Charles City 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 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Charles City. These are the largest.
Cedar Terrace South201 Greenlees Cir, Charles City 50616148 homes, 147 low-income · Run by Charles City Hsg and Redev Authority · Average payment: $419 a month · Average wait: 5 months(641) 228-6661
Lantern Park Apts (charles City)601 11th St, Charles City 5061624 low-income homes · In service since 1991
Burling House910 1st Ave, Charles City 5061612 low-income homes · For people with disabilities(641) 228-4842
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 Floyd County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Charles City or Floyd County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Charles City the same as in the rest of the state.
With the Iowa state authority's FirstHome mortgage, a first-time buyer can get a second loan of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or up to 5% (maximum $15,000), with no monthly payments, repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
Iowa state authority second loan, with the Homes for Iowans mortgage, of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or 5% (maximum $15,000) for the down payment and closing costs; no monthly payments, and for any buyer.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Charles City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
No legal help resource on our list is for Charles City or Floyd County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Charles City and all of Floyd 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 Charles City?
The typical home value in Charles City is $115,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Floyd County it is $143,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Charles City?
Typical rent in Charles City is $735 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Floyd County is $927.
What is the FHA loan limit in Charles City?
Charles City uses the FHA limit for all of Floyd 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 Charles City?
The typical homeowner in Charles City pays $1,754 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.52% of the home’s value; in Floyd County, the rate is 1.34%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Charles City?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Floyd County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
