Cost of Living & Housing in Centerville
Centerville's cost of living centers on a real, exceptional affordability advantage in housing, offset by a real, disclosed multi-decade population decline and a property tax rate this record discloses as county-level rather than city-specific.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreExceptionally affordable housing
Centerville's typical home value ran approximately $73,108 per Zillow, genuinely among the most affordable of this project's Iowa Tier C markets and well below both national and Iowa statewide medians. A confirmed, city-specific median rent figure was not found with confidence this pass (base record).
A county-level 1.40% property tax rate, disclosed honestly
A Centerville-specific effective property tax rate was not found with confidence this pass despite a genuine search effort; this record uses Appanoose County's own broader 1.40% Ownwell-cited rate and discloses plainly that it is county-level, not city-specific. Confirm a specific property's current, actual bill directly with the Appanoose County Treasurer's Office (base record).
Iowa's 3.8% flat income tax and no local-option add-on
Iowa's real, current flat individual income tax rate is 3.8% on all taxable income for tax year 2026, with no local-option city or county income tax anywhere in the state and a full exemption for Social Security and qualifying retirement income for residents 55 and older (base record).
A real mine-subsidence consideration for older properties
Centerville's extensive historical underground coal mining (1850-1971) raises a real, locally documented potential for mine-subsidence risk in some older mined areas, per a 1986 Iowa geological survey -- confirm current, address-specific data directly for any older-construction target property (base record).
Key takeaways
- Centerville's approximately $73,108 Zillow typical home value is among the most affordable in this project's Iowa Tier C batch.
- A confirmed, city-specific property tax rate wasn't found this pass; this record uses Appanoose County's own 1.40% rate, disclosed as county-level.
- Iowa's 3.8% flat income tax and full Social Security/55+ retirement-income exemption apply in Centerville as they do statewide.
- A real, documented potential for mine-subsidence risk exists in some older, historically mined areas of Centerville -- confirm directly.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Centerville overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert