In Decorah, a typical home is worth $244,500 and typical rent is $853 a month. Compared with all of Winneshiek County, typical household income is 19% lower, the typical home value is 6% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 13 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $236,998 to $305,988.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Decorah is in Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Oelwein, the typical home value is $96,300: 61% less than in Decorah ($244,500).
2
62% of households in Decorah own their home, against 74% in Winneshiek County.
3
The typical household income in Decorah is $64,366,19% less than in Winneshiek County as a whole ($79,066).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Decorah
What homes there are in Decorah, 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
Decorah
Winneshiek County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Decorah and its comparisons
Measure
Decorah
Winneshiek County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
67%
82%
72%
61%
Attached house
5%
2%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
16%
7%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Decorah, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Winneshiek County, 8.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Decorah
Winneshiek County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Decorah and its comparisons
Measure
Decorah
Winneshiek County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
46%
49%
38%
26%
1960–1979
25%
19%
24%
24%
1980–1999
15%
15%
17%
25%
2000–2009
10%
13%
11%
14%
2010 or later
5%
5%
11%
11%
There are fewer big homes in Decorah than in Winneshiek County: 52% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 66%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K26%
$200K–$300K40%
$300K–$500K23%
$500K–$750K6%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Decorah and its comparisons
Measure
Decorah
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
26%
$200K–$300K
40%
$300K–$500K
23%
$500K–$750K
6%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50015%
$500–$99954%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $927
$1,000–$1,49926%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Decorah and its comparisons
Measure
Decorah
Under $500
15%
$500–$999
54%
$1,000–$1,499
26%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
About 62% of rented homes in Decorah cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Winneshiek County ($927); the rest cost more.
With a mortgage
$1,479 a month
Winneshiek County: $1,550 a month
Without a mortgage
$687 a month
Winneshiek County: $651 a month
Owners with a mortgage
49%
Winneshiek County: 54%
Owning costs about the same in Decorah as in Winneshiek County: with a mortgage, $1,479 a month; without one, $687.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Decorah+29%
Winneshiek County+46%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Decorah+35%
Winneshiek County+23%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
DecorahNo clear change
Winneshiek County+21%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Decorah and its comparisons
Measure
Decorah
Winneshiek County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+29%
+46%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+35%
+23%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+21%
+24%
+29%
Homes in Decorah gained value more slowly than in Winneshiek County: 29% since 2015–2019, against 46%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Decorah rose 35%, more than in Winneshiek County (23%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Decorah and its comparisons
Measure
Decorah
Winneshiek 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
1.93
2.23
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
59%
70%
76%
69%
Carpool
5%
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
24%
10%
3%
3%
Work from home
11%
12%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Decorah has 1.93 people, fewer than in Winneshiek County (2.23).
More people walk or bike to work in Decorah: 24%, against 10% in Winneshiek County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Decorah?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Decorah, worth $244,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 40% of the typical household income in Decorah, which is $64,366 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $91,013 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Winneshiek 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 Decorah. 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 $8,558 (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
$2,124
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$240,071
Total interest
$345,406
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,129 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,502 a month
Tight
$1,502 to $1,931 a month
Hard
more than $1,931 a month
Your payment · 40%
Compared with the typical household income in Decorah ($64,366 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,626
Property tax
$287
Home insurance
$102
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$108
You need at least $8,558 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 $2,124; principal and interest $1,626.
The city and its county
Decorah and Winneshiek County
Decorah is in Winneshiek 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).
Decorah
Map of Winneshiek County, Iowa, with Decorah marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Decorah
Winneshiek County
Decorah's own numbers
Typical home value
$244,500
Typical monthly rent
$853
Typical yearly household income
$64,366
Households that own their home
62%
Effective property tax rate
1.41%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Winneshiek 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)
+51%
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 Winneshiek County.
A typical home in Decorah is worth $244,500: 6% below the county and 18% above Iowa. With the typical household income in Decorah ($64,366 a year), a typical home costs 3.8 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.
Decorah3.8 years
Winneshiek3.3 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Winneshiek County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Winneshiek County rose 71% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Winneshiek County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Winneshiek County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.4% +3.4% 2016
2017: +4.1% +4.1% 2017
2018: +1.5% +1.5% 2018
2019: +2.2% +2.2% 2019
2020: +1.4% +1.4% 2020
2021: +9.2% +9.2% 2021
2022: +14.9% +14.9% 2022
2023: +10.0% +10.0% 2023
2024: +7.7% +7.7% 2024
2025: +1.4% +1.4% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Winneshiek County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.4%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+51%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+71%
+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
Decorah next to Winneshiek 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
Decorah$244,500
Winneshiek$259,200
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Decorah$853
Winneshiek$861
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Decorah$64,366
Winneshiek$79,066
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Decorah next to Winneshiek County and Iowa
Measure
Decorah
Winneshiek County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$244,500 ▼6% below the county
$259,200
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$853
$861
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$64,366 ▼19% below the county
$79,066
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
62% ▼13 points below the county
74%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,438 ▲19% above the county
$2,894
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.41% ▲0.29 points above the county
1.12%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
38% ▲1 points above the county
36%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Winneshiek 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 Decorah
For a typical $244,500 home in Decorah, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Decorah's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,124a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$8,558
Cash to close
$15,893
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $108
Conventional, 5% down$2,079a month
Down payment
$12,225
Cash to close
$19,560
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $116
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,714a month
Down payment
$48,900
Cash to close
$56,235
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,940a month
Down payment
$36,675
Cash to close
$44,010
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Decorah
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,124
$8,558
$240,071
7.18%
FHA MIP · $108
$15,893
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,079
$12,225
$232,275
7.18%
PMI · $116
$19,560
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,714
$48,900
$195,600
7.18%
None
$56,235
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,940
$36,675
$207,825
8.18%
None
$44,010
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 Decorah is $853 a month: about the same as the county. In Decorah, 38% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$688
$13.23
$27,520
1 bedroom
$710
$13.65
$28,400
2 bedrooms
$927
$17.83
$37,080
3 bedrooms
$1,214
$23.35
$48,560
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 Decorah
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Decorah is in ZIP code 52101.
For 2 bedrooms it is $940: $13 more than the fair market rent for Winneshiek County ($927).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Decorah, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
52101
$700
$720
$940
$1,230
$1,260
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
52101 $940$1,230
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Decorah 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 Decorah. These are the largest.
Oneota Village5 Ohio St, Decorah 5210134 low-income homes · For older adults(515) 859-7218
Washington Court Apts510 Washington St, Decorah 5210116 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · In service since 1998 · For older adults, people with disabilities
Decorah Woolen Mill301 W Day Spring Ln, Decorah 5210115 homes
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 Winneshiek 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 Decorah or Winneshiek County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Decorah 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 Decorah or Winneshiek 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 Decorah and all of Winneshiek 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 Decorah?
The typical home value in Decorah is $244,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Winneshiek County it is $259,200.
How much does it cost to rent in Decorah?
Typical rent in Decorah is $853 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Winneshiek County is $927.
What is the FHA loan limit in Decorah?
Decorah uses the FHA limit for all of Winneshiek 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 Decorah?
The typical homeowner in Decorah pays $3,438 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.41% of the home’s value; in Winneshiek County, the rate is 1.12%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Decorah?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Winneshiek County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
