In Grinnell, a typical home is worth $209,500 and typical rent is $895 a month. Compared with all of Poweshiek County, the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $165,662 to $213,850.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Grinnell is in Poweshiek 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 Poweshiek County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Marshalltown, the typical home value is $127,700: 39% less than in Grinnell ($209,500).
2
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Grinnell rose 6.7%; in Iowa, it rose 3.3%.
3
65% of households in Grinnell own their home, against 71% in Poweshiek County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Grinnell
What homes there are in Grinnell, 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
Grinnell
Poweshiek County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Grinnell and its comparisons
Measure
Grinnell
Poweshiek County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
63%
77%
72%
61%
Attached house
8%
4%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
7%
6%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Grinnell, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Poweshiek County, 8.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Grinnell
Poweshiek County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Grinnell and its comparisons
Measure
Grinnell
Poweshiek County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
42%
40%
38%
26%
1960–1979
22%
25%
24%
24%
1980–1999
19%
17%
17%
25%
2000–2009
11%
11%
11%
14%
2010 or later
6%
7%
11%
11%
In Grinnell, 57% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in Poweshiek 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 $100K11%
$100K–$200K35%
$200K–$300K32%
$300K–$500K20%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Grinnell and its comparisons
Measure
Grinnell
Under $100K
11%
$100K–$200K
35%
$200K–$300K
32%
$300K–$500K
20%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
At least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Grinnell are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for Poweshiek County ($541,287).
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99952%
$1,000–$1,49926%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Grinnell and its comparisons
Measure
Grinnell
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
52%
$1,000–$1,499
26%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,598 a month
Poweshiek County: $1,580 a month
Without a mortgage
$718 a month
Poweshiek County: $614 a month
Owners with a mortgage
58%
Poweshiek County: 55%
Owning costs about the same in Grinnell as in Poweshiek County: with a mortgage, $1,598 a month; without one, $718.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Grinnell+52%
Poweshiek County+48%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Grinnell+21%
Poweshiek County+23%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Grinnell+40%
Poweshiek County+25%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Grinnell and its comparisons
Measure
Grinnell
Poweshiek County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+52%
+48%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+21%
+23%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+40%
+25%
+24%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Grinnell gained value faster than in Poweshiek County: 52% against 48%.
Rents in Grinnell rose at about the same pace as in Poweshiek County: 21% since 2015–2019, against 23%.
To compare: typical income in Grinnell rose 40%; the home, +52%; the rent, +21%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Grinnell and its comparisons
Measure
Grinnell
Poweshiek 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
2.19
2.16
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
54%
68%
76%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
5%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
23%
13%
3%
3%
Work from home
18%
14%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
under 10 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Poweshiek County, a household in Grinnell has 2.19 people on average.
In Grinnell, 23% of workers walk or bike to work; in Poweshiek County, 13%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Grinnell?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Grinnell, worth $209,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 34% of the typical household income in Grinnell, which is $65,320 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $78,733 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Poweshiek 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 Grinnell. 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 $7,333 (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
$1,837
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$205,705
Total interest
$295,961
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,538 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,524 a month
Tight
$1,524 to $1,960 a month
Your payment · 34%
Hard
more than $1,960 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Grinnell ($65,320 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,394
Property tax
$264
Home insurance
$87
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$93
You need at least $7,333 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 $1,837; principal and interest $1,394.
The city and its county
Grinnell and Poweshiek County
Grinnell is in Poweshiek 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).
Grinnell
Map of Poweshiek County, Iowa, with Grinnell marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Grinnell
Poweshiek County
Grinnell's own numbers
Typical home value
$209,500
Typical monthly rent
$895
Typical yearly household income
$65,320
Households that own their home
65%
Effective property tax rate
1.51%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Poweshiek County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,014
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+37%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.2%
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 Poweshiek County.
A typical home in Grinnell is worth $209,500: about the same as the county and about the same as Iowa. With the typical household income in Grinnell ($65,320 a year), a typical home costs 3.2 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.
Grinnell3.2 years
Poweshiek3.1 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Poweshiek County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Poweshiek County rose 60% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Poweshiek County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Poweshiek County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.3% +4.3% 2016
2017: +0.4% +0.4% 2017
2018: +6.2% +6.2% 2018
2019: +2.3% +2.3% 2019
2020: +2.4% +2.4% 2020
2021: +7.3% +7.3% 2021
2022: +13.0% +13.0% 2022
2023: +4.2% +4.2% 2023
2024: +2.8% +2.8% 2024
2025: +5.5% +5.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Poweshiek County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.5%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+37%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+60%
+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
Grinnell next to Poweshiek 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
Grinnell$209,500
Poweshiek$209,300
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Grinnell$895
Poweshiek$883
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Grinnell$65,320
Poweshiek$67,391
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Grinnell next to Poweshiek County and Iowa
Measure
Grinnell
Poweshiek County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$209,500
$209,300
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$895
$883
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$65,320 ▼3% below the county
$67,391
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
65% ▼7 points below the county
71%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,156 ▲23% above the county
$2,563
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.51% ▲0.29 points above the county
1.22%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
45% ▲5 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 Poweshiek 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 Grinnell
For a typical $209,500 home in Grinnell, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Grinnell's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,837a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,333
Cash to close
$13,618
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $93
Conventional, 5% down$1,799a month
Down payment
$10,475
Cash to close
$16,760
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $100
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,486a month
Down payment
$41,900
Cash to close
$48,185
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,680a month
Down payment
$31,425
Cash to close
$37,710
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Grinnell
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,837
$7,333
$205,705
7.18%
FHA MIP · $93
$13,618
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,799
$10,475
$199,025
7.18%
PMI · $100
$16,760
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,486
$41,900
$167,600
7.18%
None
$48,185
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,680
$31,425
$178,075
8.18%
None
$37,710
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 Grinnell is $895 a month: about the same as the county. In Grinnell, 45% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Poweshiek County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,014 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.50 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 Poweshiek County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$729
$14.02
$29,160
1 bedroom
$854
$16.42
$34,160
2 bedrooms
$1,014
$19.50
$40,560
3 bedrooms
$1,403
$26.98
$56,120
4 bedrooms
$1,433
$27.56
$57,320
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 Grinnell
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Grinnell is in ZIP code 50112.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,010: $4 less than the fair market rent for Poweshiek County ($1,014).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Grinnell, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
50112
$730
$850
$1,010
$1,400
$1,430
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
50112 $1,010$1,400
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Grinnell 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 7 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Grinnell. These are the largest.
Brookside South and Pearl Street Apartments214 4th Ave W, Grinnell 5011260 low-income homes · For people with disabilities(641) 236-6679
Spaulding Lofts827 Spring St, Grinnell 5011277 homes, 57 low-income · 1 bd: 41 · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 2016 · For families
The Arbor's401 Washington Ave, Grinnell 5011242 homes, 39 low-income · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2001 · For people with disabilities, families
West Towne Apts304 4th Ave W, Grinnell 5011248 homes, 24 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families
Grinnell Estates2020 West St, Grinnell 5011224 low-income homes · In service since 1993
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 Poweshiek 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 Grinnell or Poweshiek County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Grinnell 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 Grinnell or Poweshiek 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 Grinnell and all of Poweshiek 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 Grinnell?
The typical home value in Grinnell is $209,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Poweshiek County it is $209,300.
How much does it cost to rent in Grinnell?
Typical rent in Grinnell is $895 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Poweshiek County is $1,014.
What is the FHA loan limit in Grinnell?
Grinnell uses the FHA limit for all of Poweshiek 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 Grinnell?
The typical homeowner in Grinnell pays $3,156 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.51% of the home’s value; in Poweshiek County, the rate is 1.22%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Grinnell?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Poweshiek County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
