In Creston, a typical home is worth $114,500 and typical rent is $703 a month. Compared with all of Union County, typical household income is 9% lower, the typical home value is 6% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 8 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $123,089 to $154,702.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Creston is in Union 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 Union County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Creston has the 2nd lowest typical rent of the 85 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($703).
2
64% of households in Creston own their home, against 72% in Union County.
3
Creston has the 8th lowest typical household income of the 86 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($52,633).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Creston
What homes there are in Creston, 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
Creston
Union County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Creston and its comparisons
Measure
Creston
Union County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
72%
75%
72%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
11%
8%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
13%
10%
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
5%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses are the majority in Creston (72%), but less so than in Union County (75%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Creston
Union County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Creston and its comparisons
Measure
Creston
Union County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
49%
48%
38%
26%
1960–1979
26%
24%
24%
24%
1980–1999
14%
14%
17%
25%
2000–2009
7%
8%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
5%
11%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K39%
$100K–$200K43%
$200K–$300K10%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Creston and its comparisons
Measure
Creston
Under $100K
39%
$100K–$200K
43%
$200K–$300K
10%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50022%
$500–$99956%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $927
$1,000–$1,49918%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Creston and its comparisons
Measure
Creston
Under $500
22%
$500–$999
56%
$1,000–$1,499
18%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Union County is $927; about 70% of rents in Creston are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,128 a month
Union County: $1,250 a month
Without a mortgage
$604 a month
Union County: $596 a month
Owners with a mortgage
52%
Union County: 48%
Owning costs less in Creston: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,128 a month; in Union County, $1,250. Without one, $604.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Creston+26%
Union County+17%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Creston+17%
Union County+18%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Creston+21%
Union County+16%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Creston and its comparisons
Measure
Creston
Union County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+26%
+17%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+17%
+18%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+21%
+16%
+24%
+29%
The typical home value in Creston rose 26% since 2015–2019, more than in Union County (17%).
The typical rent in Creston rose 17% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Union County (18%).
To compare: typical income in Creston rose 21%; the home, +26%; the rent, +17%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Creston and its comparisons
Measure
Creston
Union 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
2.14
2.28
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
82%
80%
76%
69%
Carpool
10%
10%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
6%
5%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
5%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
under 10 minutes
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.14 on average, against 2.28 in Union County.
In Creston, 82% of workers drive alone to work; in Union County, 80%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Creston?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Creston, worth $114,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 24% of the typical household income in Creston, which is $52,633 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Union 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 Creston. 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 $4,008 (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
$1,035
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$112,426
Total interest
$161,754
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $1,934 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,228 a month
Your payment · 24%
Tight
$1,228 to $1,579 a month
Hard
more than $1,579 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Creston ($52,633 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$762
Property tax
$175
Home insurance
$48
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$51
You need at least $4,008 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 $1,035; principal and interest $762.
The city and its county
Creston and Union County
Creston is in Union 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).
Creston
Map of Union County, Iowa, with Creston marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Creston
Union County
Creston's own numbers
Typical home value
$114,500
Typical monthly rent
$703
Typical yearly household income
$52,633
Households that own their home
64%
Effective property tax rate
1.83%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Union 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)
+41%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.5%
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 Union County.
A typical home in Creston is worth $114,500: 6% below the county and 45% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Creston ($52,633 a year), a typical home costs 2.2 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.
Creston2.2 years
Union2.1 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Union County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Union County rose 69% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Union County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Union County, 2016 to 2025
2016: −1.9% −1.9% 2016
2017: +6.4% +6.4% 2017
2018: +8.6% +8.6% 2018
2019: −1.7% −1.7% 2019
2020: +7.0% +7.0% 2020
2021: +3.1% +3.1% 2021
2022: +16.0% +16.0% 2022
2023: −2.0% −2.0% 2023
2024: +8.7% +8.7% 2024
2025: +11.0% +11.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Union County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+11.0%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+41%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+69%
+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
Creston next to Union 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
Creston$114,500
Union$122,000
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Creston$703
Union$721
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Creston$52,633
Union$57,772
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Creston next to Union County and Iowa
Measure
Creston
Union County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$114,500 ▼6% below the county
$122,000
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$703 ▼2% below the county
$721
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$52,633 ▼9% below the county
$57,772
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
64% ▼8 points below the county
72%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,096 ▼5% below the county
$2,197
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.83% ▲0.03 points above the county
1.8%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
37% ▲2 points above the county
35%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Union 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 Creston
For a typical $114,500 home in Creston, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Creston's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,035a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$4,008
Cash to close
$7,443
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $51
Conventional, 5% down$1,014a month
Down payment
$5,725
Cash to close
$9,160
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $54
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$843a month
Down payment
$22,900
Cash to close
$26,335
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$949a month
Down payment
$17,175
Cash to close
$20,610
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Creston
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,035
$4,008
$112,426
7.18%
FHA MIP · $51
$7,443
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,014
$5,725
$108,775
7.18%
PMI · $54
$9,160
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$843
$22,900
$91,600
7.18%
None
$26,335
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$949
$17,175
$97,325
8.18%
None
$20,610
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 Creston is $703 a month: 2% below the county. In Creston, 37% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Union 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 Union County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$646
$12.42
$25,840
1 bedroom
$709
$13.63
$28,360
2 bedrooms
$927
$17.83
$37,080
3 bedrooms
$1,210
$23.27
$48,400
4 bedrooms
$1,218
$23.42
$48,720
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 Creston
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Creston is in ZIP code 50801.
For 2 bedrooms it is $930: $3 more than the fair market rent for Union County ($927).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Creston, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
50801
$650
$710
$930
$1,210
$1,220
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
50801 $930$1,210
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Creston 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)
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 Union 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 Creston or Union County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Creston 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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Creston or Union 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 Creston and all of Union 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 Creston?
The typical home value in Creston is $114,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Union County it is $122,000.
How much does it cost to rent in Creston?
Typical rent in Creston is $703 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Union County is $927.
What is the FHA loan limit in Creston?
Creston uses the FHA limit for all of Union 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 Creston?
The typical homeowner in Creston pays $2,096 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.83% of the home’s value; in Union County, the rate is 1.8%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Creston?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Union County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
