Compare states / Iowa
IA
Compare Iowa with other states
Iowa is a mid-sized Midwestern state: about 3.2 million residents, the 32nd-largest population, at 58 people per square mile. It taxes wages, but its top rate of 3.8% is the 8th-lowest among the 41 states that do; its effective property-tax rate of 1.33% is the 9th-highest among the 50 states. Homes cost less than in most places, with a median value of $237,481 (the 7th-lowest nationally).
Data: Iowa (tax.iowa.gov, iowadot.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 3.8% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.94% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.33% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | County property tax on vehicles, about 1.00% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). |
| Median home value | $237,481 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $25.00 |
| Registration (base) | $60.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 55 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 3,246,320 |
| Population density | 58.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 83.1% White (non-Hispanic) 6.8% Hispanic 4.1% Black 2.6% Asian |
| Violent crime | 243.3 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Iowa
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 3.8%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Iowa
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Iowa
- Get an IA driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Iowa.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Iowa elections site.
- Nurse license: Iowa is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Iowa: September 15. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Iowa compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 3.8% in Iowa vs 13.3% in California (lower in Iowa).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Iowa are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Iowa does not tax Social Security benefits (IA tax agency).
- Estate tax. Iowa has no state estate tax (IA tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Iowa has no state inheritance tax (IA tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Iowa $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Iowa 6.00%.
- State parks. Iowa 55. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; IA 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (IA).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Iowa 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Iowa 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled