Land and home values in Palo Alto County, Iowa
Palo Alto County (rural) covers 564 square miles and 4 census tracts. Residential land is about $1.98 per sq ft at the county median, from $1.06 in its most rural tracts to $5.31 in its most valuable. The typical home is worth about $143,000 and a 2-bedroom rents for about $950 a month, as of October 12, 2026.
Open on the satellite mapAll of IowaCounty values
| Land: residential | $1.98 | per sq ft |
| Land: residential | $86,336 | per acre |
| Land: quarter-acre lot | $21,584 | 10,890 sq ft |
| Land: farmland | $11,200 | per acre |
| Home: typical (median) | $143,000 | value |
| Home: entry-level | $86,600 | lower quartile |
| Home: upper-end | $269,000 | upper quartile |
| Build new | $194 | per sq ft, no land |
| Rent: 1-bedroom | $720 | per month |
| Rent: 2-bedroom | $950 | per month |
| Rent: 3-bedroom | $1,260 | per month |
| Rent: 4-bedroom | $1,260 | per month |
| Gross yield, 2-bed | 8.0% | a year |
Price tiers
| Tier | Tracts | Land $/sq ft | Typical home | Rent 2-bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural | 1 | $1.98 | $143,000 | $950 |
| Farmland | 3 | $2.93 | $153,000 | $975 |
Tiers rank neighborhoods by home value within each metro area; outside metro areas they follow how built-up the land is. They describe prices only.
Highest-value places
| Place | Type | Land $/sq ft | Typical home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graettinger | Town | $6.25 | $110,000 |
| Ruthven | Town | $3.46 | $131,000 |
| Ayrshire | Town | $2.87 | $35,300 |
| Cylinder | Town | $2.77 | $114,000 |
| Rodman | Town | $2.45 | $178,000 |
| Curlew | Town | $2.20 | $71,900 |
| Emmetsburg | Town | $2.17 | $142,000 |
| West Bend | Town | $2.15 | $198,000 |
Questions people ask
How much is land worth in Palo Alto County, IA?
Residential land in Palo Alto County, IA is about $1.98 per square foot, or $86,336 an acre, as of October 2026. A quarter-acre lot (10,890 sq ft) is about $21,584. Smaller lots sell for more per square foot and large tracts for less.
What is the typical home value in Palo Alto County, IA?
The typical (median) home in Palo Alto County, IA is worth about $143,000, with entry-level homes around $86,600 and upper-end homes around $269,000, as of October 2026.
How much is rent in Palo Alto County, IA?
A 2-bedroom rents for about $950 a month in Palo Alto County, IA, a 1-bedroom about $720 and a 3-bedroom about $1,260 (gross rent including utilities, HUD Fair Market Rent basis).
How much is farmland per acre in Palo Alto County, IA?
Farmland averages about $11,200 an acre in Palo Alto County, IA (USDA, including buildings), well below residential land.
Is this an appraisal?
No. Indicative values for screening, budgeting and negotiation, not an appraisal. For lending, a tax appeal or legal use, hire a state-licensed or certified appraiser.