Cost of Living & Housing in Washington
Washington's cost of living centers on genuinely affordable housing relative to national norms, offset by an effective property tax rate that runs meaningfully above both national and Iowa statewide medians.
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Learn moreAffordable housing with a real recent run-up
Washington's ZIP-level (52353) median home value ran approximately $200,000, up a real, disclosed 11.3% year-over-year through June 2026, while Washington County's own broader Ownwell-cited median value ran somewhat lower, approximately $175,000 -- a real, disclosed cross-source spread (base record).
A 1.73% effective property tax rate and a $2,600 median bill
Washington's own 1.73% effective property tax rate (Ownwell) runs meaningfully above both the national median (~1.02%) and Iowa's own statewide figure, producing a $2,600 median annual tax bill, itself above the $2,400 national median bill (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).
Confirm current rent and employer data directly
A reliable, city-specific median rent figure and a confirmed, current named-employer list for Washington were not found with confidence this pass -- confirm both directly with a local property manager and the Washington Chamber of Commerce (base record).
Key takeaways
- Washington's ZIP-level median home value runs approximately $200,000, up 11.3% year-over-year through June 2026.
- Washington's own 1.73% effective property tax rate produces a $2,600 median annual bill, above both national and Iowa statewide medians.
- Iowa's 3.8% flat income tax and full Social Security/55+ retirement-income exemption apply in Washington as they do statewide.
- A confirmed, current rent figure and named-employer list were not found with confidence this pass -- confirm both directly.
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