In Perry, a typical home is worth $121,400 and typical rent is $931 a month. Compared with all of Dallas County, the typical home value is 66% lower and typical household income is 33% lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $136,015 to $171,955.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Perry is in Dallas 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 Dallas County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical home in Perry is worth $121,400,66% less than in Dallas County as a whole ($355,600).
2
The typical household income in Perry is $68,910,33% less than in Dallas County as a whole ($102,379).
3
The typical rent in Perry is $931 a month, 29% less than in Dallas County as a whole ($1,311).
4
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Perry barely changed; in Iowa, it rose 3.3%.
5
Nearby, in Polk City, the typical rent is $782: 16% less than in Perry ($931).
6
12% of households in Perry have no internet at home (4% in Dallas County).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Perry
What homes there are in Perry, 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
Perry
Dallas County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Perry and its comparisons
Measure
Perry
Dallas County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
72%
62%
72%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
11%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
9%
3%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
12%
22%
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Perry: 72% of homes, more than in Dallas County (62%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Perry
Dallas County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Perry and its comparisons
Measure
Perry
Dallas County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
49%
13%
38%
26%
1960–1979
23%
9%
24%
24%
1980–1999
11%
13%
17%
25%
2000–2009
9%
25%
11%
14%
2010 or later
8%
40%
11%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K36%
$100K–$200K40%
$200K–$300K18%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Perry and its comparisons
Measure
Perry
Under $100K
36%
$100K–$200K
40%
$200K–$300K
18%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99955%
$1,000–$1,49933%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Perry and its comparisons
Measure
Perry
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
55%
$1,000–$1,499
33%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,101 a month
Dallas County: $2,160 a month
Without a mortgage
$532 a month
Dallas County: $757 a month
Owners with a mortgage
48%
Dallas County: 69%
In Perry, 48% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,101 a month, against $2,160 in Dallas County. Without one it drops to $532.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Perry+35%
Dallas County+43%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Perry+23%
Dallas County+26%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Perry+56%
Dallas County+16%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Perry and its comparisons
Measure
Perry
Dallas County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+35%
+43%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+23%
+26%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+56%
+16%
+24%
+29%
The typical home value in Perry rose 35% since 2015–2019, less than in Dallas County (43%).
Rents in Perry rose more slowly than in Dallas County: 23% since 2015–2019, against 26%.
Here income gained ground: typical income rose 56%, against +35% for home values and +23% for rent.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Perry and its comparisons
Measure
Perry
Dallas County
Iowa
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
6.7%
5.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.8%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.47
2.53
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
72%
70%
76%
69%
Carpool
13%
6%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
20%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Dallas County, a household in Perry has 2.47 people on average.
More people carpool to work in Perry than in Dallas County: 13% against 6%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Perry?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Perry, worth $121,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 19% of the typical household income in Perry, which is $68,910 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Dallas 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 Perry. 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 $4,249 (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
$1,089
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$119,201
Total interest
$171,502
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,050 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,608 a month
Your payment · 19%
Tight
$1,608 to $2,067 a month
Hard
more than $2,067 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Perry ($68,910 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$808
Property tax
$177
Home insurance
$51
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$54
You need at least $4,249 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 $1,089; principal and interest $808.
The city and its county
Perry and Dallas County
Perry is in Dallas 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).
Perry
Map of Dallas County, Iowa, with Perry marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Perry
Dallas County
Other cities with a page
Perry's own numbers
Typical home value
$121,400
Typical monthly rent
$931
Typical yearly household income
$68,910
Households that own their home
64%
Effective property tax rate
1.75%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Dallas County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,360
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+37%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.4%
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 Dallas County.
A typical home in Perry is worth $121,400: 66% below the county and 42% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Perry ($68,910 a year), a typical home costs 1.8 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.
Perry1.8 years
Dallas3.5 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Dallas County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Dallas County rose 56% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Dallas County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Dallas County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.2% +4.2% 2016
2017: +3.7% +3.7% 2017
2018: +2.4% +2.4% 2018
2019: +2.3% +2.3% 2019
2020: +0.2% +0.2% 2020
2021: +7.7% +7.7% 2021
2022: +14.8% +14.8% 2022
2023: +6.6% +6.6% 2023
2024: +2.8% +2.8% 2024
2025: +1.4% +1.4% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Dallas County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.4%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+37%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+56%
+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
Perry next to Dallas 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
Perry$121,400
Dallas$355,600
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Perry$931
Dallas$1,311
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Perry$68,910
Dallas$102,379
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Perry next to Dallas County and Iowa
Measure
Perry
Dallas County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$121,400 ▼66% below the county
$355,600
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$931 ▼29% below the county
$1,311
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$68,910 ▼33% below the county
$102,379
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
64% ▼5 points below the county
69%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,129 ▼57% below the county
$5,001
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.75% ▲0.34 points above the county
1.41%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
36% ▼1 points below the county
37%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Dallas 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 Perry
For a typical $121,400 home in Perry, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Perry's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,089a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$4,249
Cash to close
$7,891
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $54
Conventional, 5% down$1,067a month
Down payment
$6,070
Cash to close
$9,712
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $58
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$886a month
Down payment
$24,280
Cash to close
$27,922
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$998a month
Down payment
$18,210
Cash to close
$21,852
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Perry
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,089
$4,249
$119,201
7.18%
FHA MIP · $54
$7,891
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,067
$6,070
$115,330
7.18%
PMI · $58
$9,712
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$886
$24,280
$97,120
7.18%
None
$27,922
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$998
$18,210
$103,190
8.18%
None
$21,852
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 Perry is $931 a month: 29% below the county. In Perry, 36% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Dallas County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,360 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.15 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 Dallas County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,102
$21.19
$44,080
1 bedroom
$1,145
$22.02
$45,800
2 bedrooms
$1,360
$26.15
$54,400
3 bedrooms
$1,856
$35.69
$74,240
4 bedrooms
$1,901
$36.56
$76,040
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 Perry
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Perry is in ZIP code 50220.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,120: $240 less than the fair market rent for Dallas County ($1,360).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Perry, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
50220
$900
$940
$1,120
$1,520
$1,570
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
50220 $1,120$1,520
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Perry 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 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Perry. These are the largest.
Willis Avenue Apartments913 Willis Ave, Perry 5022038 homes, 34 low-income · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 17 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2017 · For families
Hamlin Bell Senior Housing2023 Willis Ave, Perry 5022036 homes, 32 low-income · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
Quail Run Apts2902 Iowa St, Perry 5022030 low-income homes · 1 bd: 7 · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 1998 · For people with disabilities, families
Candleridge Apts of Perry II2620 McKinley St, Perry 5022024 low-income homes · In service since 1994 · For older adults, people with disabilities
Candleridge Apts of Perry I820 18th St, Perry 5022023 low-income homes · In service since 1991
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 Dallas 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 Perry or Dallas County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Perry 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 Perry or Dallas 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 Perry and all of Dallas 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 Perry?
The typical home value in Perry is $121,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Dallas County it is $355,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Perry?
Typical rent in Perry is $931 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Dallas County is $1,360.
What is the FHA loan limit in Perry?
Perry uses the FHA limit for all of Dallas 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 Perry?
The typical homeowner in Perry pays $2,129 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.75% of the home’s value; in Dallas County, the rate is 1.41%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Perry?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Dallas County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
