In Washington, a typical home is worth $152,300 and typical rent is $968 a month. Compared with all of Washington County, typical household income is 27% lower, the typical home value is 25% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 11 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $151,307 to $196,247.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Washington is in Washington 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 Washington County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical household income in Washington is $55,373,27% less than in Washington County as a whole ($75,647).
2
The typical home in Washington is worth $152,300,25% less than in Washington County as a whole ($203,900).
3
63% of households in Washington own their home, against 74% in Washington County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Washington
What homes there are in Washington, 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
Washington
Washington County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Washington and its comparisons
Measure
Washington
Washington County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
71%
78%
72%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
9%
7%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
8%
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Washington, but it weighs less than in Washington County: 71% against 78%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Washington
Washington County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Washington and its comparisons
Measure
Washington
Washington County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
57%
46%
38%
26%
1960–1979
20%
20%
24%
24%
1980–1999
15%
16%
17%
25%
2000–2009
8%
13%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
6%
11%
11%
The typical home in Washington was built in 1955, 9 years before the typical one in Washington 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 $100K20%
$100K–$200K53%
$200K–$300K16%
$300K–$500K9%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Washington and its comparisons
Measure
Washington
Under $100K
20%
$100K–$200K
53%
$200K–$300K
16%
$300K–$500K
9%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable
At least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Washington are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for Washington County ($541,287).
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99938%
$1,000–$1,49941%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Washington and its comparisons
Measure
Washington
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
38%
$1,000–$1,499
41%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,302 a month
Washington County: $1,557 a month
Without a mortgage
$656 a month
Washington County: $670 a month
Owners with a mortgage
61%
Washington County: 60%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Washington is $1,302 a month, less than in Washington County ($1,557); without one, $656.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Washington+30%
Washington County+35%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Washington+21%
Washington County+17%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
WashingtonNo clear change
Washington County+21%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Washington and its comparisons
Measure
Washington
Washington County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+30%
+35%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+21%
+17%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+21%
+24%
+29%
Homes in Washington gained value more slowly than in Washington County: 30% since 2015–2019, against 35%.
Rents in Washington rose faster than in Washington County: 21% since 2015–2019, against 17%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Washington and its comparisons
Measure
Washington
Washington 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
2.24
2.48
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
78%
77%
76%
69%
Carpool
10%
9%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
6%
10%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.24 on average, against 2.48 in Washington County.
To get to work, 78% of workers in Washington drive alone; in Washington County, 77%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Washington?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Washington, worth $152,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 30% of the typical household income in Washington, which is $55,373 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $58,542 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Washington 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 Washington. 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 $5,331 (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
$1,366
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$149,541
Total interest
$215,154
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,572 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,292 a month
Tight
$1,292 to $1,661 a month
Your payment · 30%
Hard
more than $1,661 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Washington ($55,373 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,013
Property tax
$222
Home insurance
$64
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$67
You need at least $5,331 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 $1,366; principal and interest $1,013.
The city and its county
Washington and Washington County
Washington is in Washington 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).
Washington
Map of Washington County, Iowa, with Washington marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Washington
Washington County
Washington's own numbers
Typical home value
$152,300
Typical monthly rent
$968
Typical yearly household income
$55,373
Households that own their home
63%
Effective property tax rate
1.75%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Washington County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,002
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+36%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3%
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 Washington County.
A typical home in Washington is worth $152,300: 25% below the county and 27% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Washington ($55,373 a year), a typical home costs 2.8 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.
Washington2.8 years
County2.7 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Washington County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Washington County rose 60% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Washington County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Washington County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.3% +2.3% 2016
2017: +5.4% +5.4% 2017
2018: +4.2% +4.2% 2018
2019: +3.6% +3.6% 2019
2020: +0.6% +0.6% 2020
2021: +8.1% +8.1% 2021
2022: +13.5% +13.5% 2022
2023: +3.1% +3.1% 2023
2024: +6.2% +6.2% 2024
2025: +1.4% +1.4% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Washington County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.4%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+36%
+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
Washington next to Washington 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
Washington$152,300
County$203,900
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Washington$968
County$879
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Washington$55,373
County$75,647
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Washington next to Washington County and Iowa
Measure
Washington
Washington County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$152,300 ▼25% below the county
$203,900
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$968 ▲10% above the county
$879
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$55,373 ▼27% below the county
$75,647
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
63% ▼11 points below the county
74%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,663 ▼4% below the county
$2,788
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.75% ▲0.38 points above the county
1.37%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
42% ▲10 points above the county
32%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Washington 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 Washington
For a typical $152,300 home in Washington, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Washington's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,366a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$5,331
Cash to close
$9,900
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $67
Conventional, 5% down$1,338a month
Down payment
$7,615
Cash to close
$12,184
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $72
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,111a month
Down payment
$30,460
Cash to close
$35,029
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,252a month
Down payment
$22,845
Cash to close
$27,414
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Washington
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,366
$5,331
$149,541
7.18%
FHA MIP · $67
$9,900
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,338
$7,615
$144,685
7.18%
PMI · $72
$12,184
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,111
$30,460
$121,840
7.18%
None
$35,029
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,252
$22,845
$129,455
8.18%
None
$27,414
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 Washington is $968 a month: 10% above the county. In Washington, 42% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Washington County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,002 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.27 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 Washington County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$761
$14.63
$30,440
1 bedroom
$766
$14.73
$30,640
2 bedrooms
$1,002
$19.27
$40,080
3 bedrooms
$1,278
$24.58
$51,120
4 bedrooms
$1,317
$25.33
$52,680
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 Washington
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Washington is in ZIP code 52353.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,100: $98 more than the fair market rent for Washington County ($1,002).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Washington, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
52353
$840
$840
$1,100
$1,400
$1,450
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
52353 $1,100$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 Washington 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)
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 Washington 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 Washington or Washington County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Washington 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 Washington or Washington 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 Washington and all of Washington 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 Washington?
The typical home value in Washington is $152,300, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Washington County it is $203,900.
How much does it cost to rent in Washington?
Typical rent in Washington is $968 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Washington County is $1,002.
What is the FHA loan limit in Washington?
Washington uses the FHA limit for all of Washington 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 Washington?
The typical homeowner in Washington pays $2,663 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.75% of the home’s value; in Washington County, the rate is 1.37%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Washington?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Washington County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
