Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Iowa City, Iowa
Median Iowa City, Iowa effective property tax rate: 1.88%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Iowa state median of 1.55%.
Median Iowa City, Iowa home value: $215,030
Median annual Iowa City, Iowa tax bill: $3,970, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Johnson calculated?
Property taxes in Iowa City, Iowa are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Iowa City's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Iowa City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.88%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,043
$3,751
How Does the Iowa City Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Iowa City property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Iowa City's median effective tax rate of 1.88% — based on actual property records in Johnson County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Iowa City's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Iowa City: rates range from $3,166 in 52246 to $4,582 in 52245, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Iowa City.
About Iowa City Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa
Iowa City’s median effective property tax rate of 1.88% is higher than the 1.55% Iowa median and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Johnson County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Iowa City. Homeowners in the 52245 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.88%, while those in 52240 pay 1.88%. The median property tax bill is $3,970, compared with the national median bill of $2,400.
Iowa City homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Johnson County Tax Assessor before the April 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Iowa City’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Iowa and the median property tax rates in Iowa and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Iowa City Tax Rate
1.88%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Johnson County Tax Rate
1.72%
Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52240 | 1.29% | 1.34% | 1.88% | 1.88% | 1.88% |
| 52245 | 1.88% | 1.88% | 1.88% | 1.88% | 1.88% |
| 52246 | 1.66% | 1.88% | 1.88% | 1.88% | 1.88% |
| 52242 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Iowa City, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Johnson County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Johnson County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Iowa City.
For example, the median home price in Iowa City is $215,030, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 52245 has the highest median home price at $240,935.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
Source: Ownwell
$168,260
$254,180
$340,100
Median Iowa City Market Value
$215,030
Median Johnson County Market Value
$231,800
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52240 | $75,930 | $155,640 | $223,635 | $327,800 | $514,600 |
| 52245 | $110,810 | $182,425 | $240,935 | $306,050 | $399,730 |
| 52246 | $87,950 | $112,660 | $168,260 | $278,610 | $409,778 |
| 52242 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Iowa City are calculated by applying local tax rates to a home’s assessed value, not its market price alone. The assessed value is the starting point, and the final bill reflects the tax rates set by local governments and other taxing authorities in Johnson County. For homeowners, this means two homes with similar market values can still have different tax bills if their assessed values or tax rates differ.
In Iowa City, the median home price is $215,030, and property tax bills vary widely across the city. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,674, while the 75th percentile is $5,466 and the 90th percentile reaches $7,372. The highest median tax bill is $4,582 in ZIP code 52245, compared with $3,166 in ZIP code 52246. Since the national median property tax rate is 1.02% and the national median property tax bill is $2,400, many homeowners in Iowa City pay more than the typical U.S. homeowner.
Median Iowa City Tax Bill
$3,970
Median Johnson County Tax Bill
$3,910
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52240 | $1,606 | $2,896 | $4,010 | $5,420 | $7,352 |
| 52245 | $2,596 | $3,662 | $4,582 | $5,802 | $7,477 |
| 52246 | $1,744 | $2,216 | $3,166 | $5,057 | $7,340 |
| 52242 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Johnson Tax Assessor | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |