In Fort Dodge, a typical home is worth $144,100 and typical rent is $785 a month. Compared with all of Webster County, typical household income is 12% lower, the typical home value is 6% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $122,548 to $129,923.
Typical rent
$804a month
▲ 10.6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2025 to September 2026: from $728 to $804.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Fort Dodge is in Webster 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 Webster County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
64% of households in Fort Dodge own their home, against 70% in Webster County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Fort Dodge
What homes there are in Fort Dodge, 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
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Fort Dodge and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
68%
76%
72%
61%
Attached house
3%
2%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
13%
10%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
14%
10%
14%
19%
Mobile home
3%
2%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Fort Dodge, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Webster County, 8.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Fort Dodge and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
55%
55%
38%
26%
1960–1979
22%
23%
24%
24%
1980–1999
11%
11%
17%
25%
2000–2009
6%
6%
11%
14%
2010 or later
6%
5%
11%
11%
In Fort Dodge, half of the homes were built before 1957; in Webster County, before 1957.
In Fort Dodge, 15% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 50% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 56% in Webster County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K36%
$100K–$200K37%
$200K–$300K16%
$300K–$500K8%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Fort Dodge and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Dodge
Under $100K
36%
$100K–$200K
37%
$200K–$300K
16%
$300K–$500K
8%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
At least 97% of owner-occupied homes in Fort Dodge are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for Webster County ($541,287).
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50018%
$500–$99961%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $927
$1,000–$1,49913%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Fort Dodge and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Dodge
Under $500
18%
$500–$999
61%
$1,000–$1,499
13%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Webster County is $927; about 70% of rents in Fort Dodge are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,260 a month
Webster County: $1,276 a month
Without a mortgage
$568 a month
Webster County: $554 a month
Owners with a mortgage
54%
Webster County: 52%
Owning costs about the same in Fort Dodge as in Webster County: with a mortgage, $1,260 a month; without one, $568.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Fort Dodge+54%
Webster County+55%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Fort Dodge+20%
Webster County+22%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Fort Dodge+48%
Webster County+45%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Fort Dodge and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+54%
+55%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+20%
+22%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+48%
+45%
+24%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Fort Dodge rose at about the same pace as in Webster County: 54% against 55%.
The typical rent in Fort Dodge rose 20% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Webster County (22%).
While home values in Fort Dodge changed +54% and rent +20%, the typical household income rose 48%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Fort Dodge and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Iowa
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.8%
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
2.15
2.21
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
80%
83%
76%
69%
Carpool
9%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
3%
Work from home
4%
5%
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
Much as in Webster County, a household in Fort Dodge has 2.15 people on average.
The car rules in Fort Dodge: 80% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Fort Dodge?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Fort Dodge, worth $144,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 25% of the typical household income in Fort Dodge, which is $60,649 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Webster 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 Fort Dodge. 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 $5,044 (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
$1,285
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$141,489
Total interest
$203,570
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,433 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,415 a month
Your payment · 25%
Tight
$1,415 to $1,819 a month
Hard
more than $1,819 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Fort Dodge ($60,649 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$958
Property tax
$203
Home insurance
$60
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$64
You need at least $5,044 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 $1,285; principal and interest $958.
The city and its county
Fort Dodge and Webster County
Fort Dodge is in Webster 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).
Fort Dodge
Map of Webster County, Iowa, with Fort Dodge marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Other cities with a page
Fort Dodge's own numbers
Typical home value
$144,100
Typical monthly rent
$785
Typical yearly household income
$60,649
Households that own their home
64%
Effective property tax rate
1.69%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Webster 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)
+31%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.4%
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 Webster County.
A typical home in Fort Dodge is worth $144,100: 6% below the county and 31% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Fort Dodge ($60,649 a year), a typical home costs 2.4 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.
Fort Dodge2.4 years
Webster2.2 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Webster County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Webster County rose 52% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Webster County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Webster County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.1% +2.1% 2016
2017: +4.9% +4.9% 2017
2018: +4.4% +4.4% 2018
2019: +2.8% +2.8% 2019
2020: +1.1% +1.1% 2020
2021: +8.2% +8.2% 2021
2022: +8.3% +8.3% 2022
2023: +3.5% +3.5% 2023
2024: +4.3% +4.3% 2024
2025: +3.5% +3.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Webster County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.5%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+31%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+52%
+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
Fort Dodge next to Webster 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
Fort Dodge$144,100
Webster$153,800
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Fort Dodge$785
Webster$785
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Fort Dodge$60,649
Webster$68,975
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Fort Dodge next to Webster County and Iowa
Measure
Fort Dodge
Webster County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$144,100 ▼6% below the county
$153,800
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$785
$785
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$60,649 ▼12% below the county
$68,975
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
64% ▼6 points below the county
70%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,439 ▲14% above the county
$2,138
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.69% ▲0.3 points above the county
1.39%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
45% ▲4 points above the county
40%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Webster 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 Fort Dodge
For a typical $144,100 home in Fort Dodge, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Fort Dodge's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,285a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$5,044
Cash to close
$9,367
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $64
Conventional, 5% down$1,259a month
Down payment
$7,205
Cash to close
$11,528
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $68
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,044a month
Down payment
$28,820
Cash to close
$33,143
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,177a month
Down payment
$21,615
Cash to close
$25,938
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Fort Dodge
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,285
$5,044
$141,490
7.18%
FHA MIP · $64
$9,367
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,259
$7,205
$136,895
7.18%
PMI · $68
$11,528
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,044
$28,820
$115,280
7.18%
None
$33,143
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,177
$21,615
$122,485
8.18%
None
$25,938
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 Fort Dodge is $785 a month: about the same as the county. In Fort Dodge, 45% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Webster 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 Webster County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$667
$12.83
$26,680
1 bedroom
$709
$13.63
$28,360
2 bedrooms
$927
$17.83
$37,080
3 bedrooms
$1,191
$22.90
$47,640
4 bedrooms
$1,549
$29.79
$61,960
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 Fort Dodge
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Fort Dodge is in ZIP code 50501.
For 2 bedrooms it is $950: $23 more than the fair market rent for Webster County ($927).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Fort Dodge, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
50501
$680
$730
$950
$1,220
$1,590
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
50501 $950$1,220
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Fort Dodge 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 11 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Fort Dodge. These are the largest.
Deer Creek Apts700 S 17th St, Fort Dodge 50501136 homes, 135 low-income · Run by Fort Dodge Municipal Housing Agency · Average payment: $454 a month · Average wait: 46 months(515) 573-7751
Westridge Townhomes124 Avenue M W, Fort Dodge 50501125 homes, 102 low-income · For families(515) 227-5005
Wahkonsa Manor927 Central Ave, Fort Dodge 5050176 low-income homes · Studio: 33 · 1 bd: 39 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 2008 · For older adults(515) 576-6755
Garden Village Apartments2736 2nd Ave N, Fort Dodge 5050172 low-income homes · For older adults(515) 576-5892
Evergreen Estates I1543 27th Ave N, Fort Dodge 5050148 homes, 47 low-income · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 38 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1996
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 Webster 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 Fort Dodge or Webster County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge or Webster 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 Fort Dodge and all of Webster 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 Fort Dodge?
The typical home value in Fort Dodge is $144,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Webster County it is $153,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Fort Dodge?
Typical rent in Fort Dodge is $785 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Webster County is $927.
What is the FHA loan limit in Fort Dodge?
Fort Dodge uses the FHA limit for all of Webster 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 Fort Dodge?
The typical homeowner in Fort Dodge pays $2,439 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.69% of the home’s value; in Webster County, the rate is 1.39%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Fort Dodge?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Webster County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
