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City · 5,839 residents · Emmet County, Iowa

Estherville , Iowa

In Estherville, a typical home is worth $101,400 and typical rent is $754 a month. Compared with all of Emmet County, typical household income is 15% lower, the typical home value is 11% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $101,400

    11% below the county

    51% below Iowa

    • Estherville
    • Emmet
    • Iowa

  • Typical rent

    $754a month

    3% above the county

    22% below Iowa

    • Estherville
    • Emmet
    • Iowa

  • Typical household income

    $54,124a year

    15% below the county

    28% below Iowa

    • Estherville
    • Emmet
    • Iowa

  • Households that own their home

    74%

    6 points below the county

    2 points above Iowa

    • Estherville
    • Emmet
    • Iowa

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$130,648
13.1% more than 12 months ago

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

Estherville is in Emmet 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 Emmet County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Estherville apart

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 Estherville rose 13.1%; in Iowa, it rose 3.3%.

  2. Estherville has the 4th lowest typical home value of the 86 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($101,400).

  3. The typical household income in Estherville is $54,124, 15% less than in Emmet County as a whole ($63,730).

  4. Estherville has the 7th lowest typical rent of the 85 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($754).

  5. 74% of households in Estherville own their home, against 79% in Emmet County.

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

The homes here

Housing in Estherville

What homes there are in Estherville, 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

In Estherville, 8 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Emmet County, 8.

Year built

By age, homes in Estherville look like those in Emmet County: the typical year built is 1956.

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
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,025 a month

Emmet County: $1,074 a month

Without a mortgage

$492 a month

Emmet County: $509 a month

Owners with a mortgage

59%

Emmet County: 54%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Estherville is $1,025 a month, near the figure in Emmet County ($1,074).

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

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Estherville rose 20%; in Emmet County, it rose 28%.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Estherville did not change clearly, according to the Census.

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

MeasureEsthervilleEmmet 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 2.122.152.362.53
Drive alone 78%78%76%69%
Carpool 11%9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate4%3%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate7%11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

A household in Estherville has 2.12 people on average, about the same as in Emmet County (2.15).

To get to work, 78% of workers in Estherville drive alone; in Emmet County, 78%.

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 Estherville?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Estherville, worth $101,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 20% of the typical household income in Estherville, which is $54,124 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Estherville. 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 $3,549 (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

$908

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$99,563
Total interest
$143,248
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $1,712 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,263 a month

    Your payment · 20%

  • Tight

    $1,263 to $1,624 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,624 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Estherville ($54,124 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$908
Principal & interest$674
Property tax$146
Home insurance$42
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$45

You need at least $3,549 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

Estherville and Emmet County

Estherville is in Emmet 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).

Estherville's own numbers

Typical home value
$101,400
Typical monthly rent
$754
Typical yearly household income
$54,124
Households that own their home
74%
Effective property tax rate
1.73%

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

Numbers for all of Emmet 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)
+42%

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 Emmet County.

Everything about Emmet County

Buying

Buying a home in Estherville

A typical home in Estherville is worth $101,400: 11% below the county and 51% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Estherville ($54,124 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.

  • Estherville 1.9 years
  • Emmet 1.8 years
  • Iowa 2.8 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Emmet County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Emmet County rose 54% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Iowa U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.4% +3.2% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +42% +41% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +54% +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

Estherville next to Emmet 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
  • Estherville $101,400
  • Emmet $114,100
  • Iowa $208,000
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Estherville $754
  • Emmet $733
  • Iowa $972
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Estherville $54,124
  • Emmet $63,730
  • Iowa $75,059
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Estherville next to Emmet County and Iowa
Measure Estherville Emmet County Iowa U.S.
Typical home value $101,400 $114,100 $208,000 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $754 $733 $972 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $54,124 $63,730 $75,059 $80,734
Households that own their home 74% 79% 72% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,754 $1,680 $2,897 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.73% 1.47% 1.39% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 42% 38% 44% 51%

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

For a typical $101,400 home in Estherville, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Estherville's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $908a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $3,549
    Cash to close
    $6,591
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $45

  • Conventional, 5% down $889a month

    Down payment
    $5,070
    Cash to close
    $8,112
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $48

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $738a month

    Down payment
    $20,280
    Cash to close
    $23,322
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $832a month

    Down payment
    $15,210
    Cash to close
    $18,252
    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 Estherville and for Emmet County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Estherville

1.73%of the home’s value each year

$1,754 a year for the typical owner in Estherville.

  • Estherville 1.73%
  • Emmet 1.47%
  • Iowa 1.39%

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Iowa

Flood risk in Emmet County

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

FEMA’s maps count no homes in the high-risk zone in Emmet County. That does not mean it cannot flood: check your address.

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Estherville

Typical rent in Estherville is $754 a month: 3% above the county. In Estherville, 42% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Emmet 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 Emmet 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 $778 $14.96 $31,120
2 bedrooms $927 $17.83 $37,080
3 bedrooms $1,247 $23.98 $49,880
4 bedrooms $1,251 $24.06 $50,040

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 Estherville

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Estherville is in ZIP code 51334.

For 2 bedrooms it is $990: $63 more than the fair market rent for Emmet County ($927).

  • 51334 $990$1,260

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

HUD lists one building with rents for lower incomes in Estherville.

  • Garden Village Apts 202 S 13th St, Estherville 51334 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · In service since 1998

See all 1 buildings in Emmet County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Estherville

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

A man listens closely, seated at a meeting table.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Estherville

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

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Iowa

Housing counselors near Estherville

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

  • Center for Siouxland

    715 Douglas St, Sioux City · 101 miles away

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

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

    1618 6th Ave, Des Moines · 138 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 · 139 miles away

    • Pre-purchase counseling
    (515) 471-8686

All counseling agencies in Iowa

Help in Spanish near Estherville

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 Estherville

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in Emmet 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 Estherville, with the typical home value.

Everything about Emmet County Housing in Iowa

Neighboring counties

If Emmet 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 Estherville.

All guides
Two parents walk hand in hand with their little daughter.

Questions

Housing questions about Estherville

Short answers with the numbers for Estherville and all of Emmet 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 Estherville?

The typical home value in Estherville is $101,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Emmet County it is $114,100.

How much does it cost to rent in Estherville?

Typical rent in Estherville is $754 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Emmet County is $927.

What is the FHA loan limit in Estherville?

Estherville uses the FHA limit for all of Emmet 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 Estherville?

The typical homeowner in Estherville pays $1,754 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.73% of the home’s value; in Emmet County, the rate is 1.47%.

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

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