A complete look at what Iowa farmland is selling for across all 99 counties. Cash rent rates, regional trends, and what's driving prices today.
Iowa farmland values remained strong entering 2026, supported by steady commodity prices, limited land supply, and continued institutional investor interest. While the rapid appreciation of 2021 through 2023 has moderated, most Iowa counties are holding or slightly improving from 2024 levels, with high-productivity central and north-central counties leading the market.
This guide covers current price-per-acre ranges, cash rent estimates, and the key factors driving values across Iowa's five broad regions. For a personalized estimate on your specific parcel, use our free county estimator linked throughout.
"Iowa farmland supply remains tight. Landowners who inherited ground in the 1980s are aging out, and their heirs are making decisions — but many are choosing to hold rather than sell into a market they don't fully understand."
Statewide, Iowa farmland averages approximately $11,000 to $14,200 per acre for top-quality row crop ground, with significant variation by county, soil quality, and proximity to markets. The CSR2 (Corn Suitability Rating 2) score is the primary driver of value within any given county — a parcel scoring 90+ will command a meaningful premium over an 80-rated neighbor even in the same township.
Cash rent rates average $270 to $380 per acre statewide for good tillable ground, with the highest rents in central and north-central Iowa where soil productivity and commodity basis are strongest.
The north-central tier is consistently Iowa's most valuable farmland region. Counties like Hamilton, Story, Hardin, Webster, and Wright feature flat terrain, exceptional CSR2 scores, strong tile drainage, and proximity to major grain markets. This region also overlaps with Iowa's wind energy corridor, adding lease income potential on top of crop productivity.
Polk and Dallas counties tell a different story. Dallas County — home to Waukee and West Des Moines — is one of the fastest-growing counties in the US. Farmland on the urban fringe regularly trades at premiums well above agricultural value because buyers are pricing in future development. Warren County south of Des Moines is experiencing similar pressure.
Northwest Iowa combines strong agricultural productivity with Iowa's most active wind energy development. Counties like O'Brien, Clay, Buena Vista, Palo Alto, and Kossuth sit in Iowa's premier wind resource zone. Wind turbine leases in this region typically pay $4,000 to $8,000 per turbine per year with no reduction in tillable ground.
The eastern tier benefits from proximity to the Quad Cities and the Mississippi River grain barge system. Scott, Linn, Johnson, and Cedar counties all carry urban-edge premiums alongside strong soil productivity. Johnson County sees consistent demand from institutional and out-of-state buyers drawn to Iowa City.
Southern Iowa is a different market. Counties like Ringgold, Decatur, Wayne, and Davis feature rolling terrain, lower CSR2 scores, and values often in the $4,400 to $5,800 per acre range. That said, hunting and recreational leasing rates are strong here, timber value is real, and for the right buyer these counties offer entry-level farmland at a fraction of central Iowa prices.
| Region | Cash Rent Range/Acre | Top Counties |
|---|---|---|
| North Central Iowa | $320 – $380/ac | Hamilton, Grundy, Hardin |
| Central Iowa (metro) | $300 – $360/ac | Polk, Story, Boone |
| Northwest Iowa | $280 – $340/ac | O'Brien, Clay, Kossuth |
| East Central Iowa | $270 – $330/ac | Linn, Scott, Johnson |
| West Central Iowa | $260 – $310/ac | Carroll, Audubon |
| Southwest Iowa | $210 – $260/ac | Cass, Page |
| Southern Iowa | $165 – $210/ac | Ringgold, Wayne, Davis |
Supply remains the biggest factor. Iowa farmland rarely comes to market — most is held generationally. When it does sell, there are typically multiple qualified buyers. Auction clearance rates remain high in most counties.
Commodity prices are holding steady but no longer accelerating. Corn and soybean prices support current cash rent levels, which in turn support land values — but don't drive the rapid appreciation seen during the 2021 to 2022 commodity spike.
Institutional and out-of-state buyers continue to be active in Iowa's top-tier counties. Farm REITs, endowments, and family offices view Iowa farmland as a stable, inflation-resistant asset and compete aggressively for quality parcels.
Interest rates matter more now. Higher rates have cooled some leveraged buyers, but cash buyers — who represent a significant share of Iowa farmland transactions — are less affected, keeping values supported.
County averages are a starting point. The actual value of your parcel depends on: