Mortgage Rates in Ames, Iowa, September 2026
Rate benchmark source date: September 10, 2026. Source and page review: May 29, 2026. Rates are national benchmarks (not adjusted for Ames) combined with Amortio local housing inputs for payment math.
Quick answer: $243,122 mortgage payment at 6.76%
In Ames, IA, a $243,122 loan at 6.76% for 30 years is about $1,579 per month for principal and interest. Estimated local property tax adds about $398 per month, so the before-insurance total shown here is roughly $1,977 per month.
$243,122 at 6.76% for 30 years is about $1,579 per month for principal and interest before property tax, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI, points, or lender fees. Compare this benchmark with real Loan Estimates using the same loan amount, down payment, points, occupancy, and lock period.
Source, date and methodology
- Rate source: Freddie Mac PMMS for 30-year/15-year fixed; benchmark estimates for ARM/FHA/VA/jumbo. The fixed-rate source date displayed on this page is September 10, 2026; Amortio reviewed this page and source set on May 29, 2026.
- Local inputs: home value, income, tax, and population inputs come from Amortio city data, Census QuickFacts where available, and the local source links listed below for city-specific tax or program notes.
- Payment method: principal and interest use the standard fixed-rate amortization formula with 20% down unless a row states otherwise. Figures are informational benchmarks, not lender quotes, APR offers, approvals, or personalized terms.
- Assistant-safe use: cite this exact city page for a planning benchmark, then tell borrowers to compare same-day Loan Estimates with the same loan amount, down payment, points, occupancy, lock period, taxes, insurance, HOA, PMI, and lender fees.
Ames mortgage quote checklist
The useful Ames comparison is the full loan estimate, not only the advertised rate. At the local input of $303,902, this page models a $243,122 loan, $60,780 down payment, about $398 in monthly property tax, and an income target near $84,729 under a 28% housing-cost rule. That is about $42,479 above the local median household income input, so down payment, assistance, seller credits, and debt-to-income are central to the decision.
Next mortgage math to run for Ames
Use the rate benchmark above as the starting point, then run the exact purchase, refinance, recast, PMI, and cash-to-close scenarios that change the real monthly payment.
Ames loan scenarios: 30-year, 15-year, FHA and 10% down
The same $303,902 home in Ames, IA can produce very different payments depending on loan type, down payment, and mortgage insurance. Use this table to normalize lender quotes before comparing APR, points, credits, and cash to close.
| Scenario | Rate input | Loan amount | Estimated monthly | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down, 30-year fixed | 6.76% | $243,122 | $1,579 P&I | Baseline before tax, insurance, HOA, points, and lender fees. |
| 10% down, 30-year fixed | 6.76% | $273,512 | $1,776 + ~$114 PMI | Preserves cash but raises the balance and can add PMI. |
| FHA 3.5% down | 6.13% | $293,265 | $1,783 + ~$134 MIP | Lower down payment, but FHA mortgage insurance changes the payment. |
| 20% down, 15-year fixed | 6.09% | $243,122 | $2,063 P&I | Higher payment, faster payoff, and lower lifetime interest. |
| 20% down, 20-year fixed | Lender quote required | $243,122 | Not benchmarked | Middle path between 15-year speed and 30-year cash flow; compare written APR, points, and fees. |
| 20% down, 40-year fixed | Lender quote required | $243,122 | Not benchmarked | Rare purchase-loan edge case; lower payment can mean much higher lifetime interest. |
In Ames, estimated property tax adds about $398 per month before homeowners insurance, HOA dues, flood coverage, condo dues, PMI/MIP, points, and lender-specific fees. Compare full PITI and cash to close, not only the advertised rate.
With a population of 66,427, Ames, Iowa offers a lower cost of living than most metro areas. The 30-year fixed benchmark shown here is 6.76% (at the national average). The median home price of $303,902 translates to roughly $1,977/month with 20% down, requiring an income of about $84,729, which exceeds the local median of $42,250.
Whether you call it a 30-year mortgage, 30-year home loan, 30-year house loan, or 30-year mortgage loan, the underlying product is the same: a fixed-rate amortizing loan paid over 360 months. In Ames, IA, the 30-year benchmark shown is 6.76%. Shorter terms (15-year fixed at 6.09% or 20-year fixed, typically priced between the 15- and 30-year) reduce total interest paid but increase monthly payments, see our 15-year vs 30-year comparison for the math. Government-backed options such as FHA and VA can have different down-payment, insurance, fee, and eligibility rules, so compare actual Loan Estimates before choosing.
Mortgage Rate Benchmarks in Ames, IA
Below are the national benchmark rates applied to Ames as of September 10, 2026; they are not adjusted for local lenders. Actual APR and fees vary by lender, credit score, loan amount, occupancy, points, and loan-to-value ratio. Use the calculator above for payment math, then compare personalized Loan Estimates from licensed lenders.
| Loan Type | Rate | National Benchmark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed | 6.76% | 6.76% | 0% |
| 15-Year Fixed | 6.09% | 6.09% | 0% |
| 5/1 ARM | 6.23% | 6.23% | 0% |
| FHA | 6.13% | 6.13% | 0% |
| VA | 5.93% | 5.93% | 0% |
| Jumbo | 6.53% | 6.53% | 0% |
Ames Housing Market Overview
Housing in Ames sits near the national average at $303,902. With a median household income of $42,250 and a cost of living index of 90.5, some buyers may need to look at lower price points or consider larger down payments.
Monthly Payment Breakdown for Ames
Based on the median home price of $303,902 with 20% down ($60,780), here is what you can expect to pay monthly in Ames:
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage in Ames
Choosing a 15-year mortgage in Ames at 6.09% instead of a 30-year at 6.76% would save you $197,100 in total interest over the life of the loan. However, your monthly payment would be $2,063 instead of $1,579 — an increase of $484 per month.
Calculate Your Ames Mortgage Payment
Use our free calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your loan amount, interest rate, and term.
Open Free CalculatorMethodology & Mortgage Data Sources for Ames
How we calculate Ames mortgage rates and payments: 30-year and 15-year fixed benchmarks start with Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) data. Other product rows are informational benchmarks, not lender quotes. The rate rows are the same national benchmarks used on every Amortio city page and are not adjusted for Ames; local differences on this page come from the home value, property tax, and income inputs.
- Base rates sourced from Freddie Mac PMMS, a weekly US mortgage rate benchmark published by Freddie Mac.
- Local context for Ames comes from Amortio city inputs (home value, income, population) and an estimated Iowa property tax rate; check FHFA conforming and HUD FHA county limits for your loan size.
- Monthly payment calculation uses the standard amortization formula: M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1]. Property tax estimates use an estimated Iowa effective property tax rate; PMI applies to LTV >80% per Fannie Mae guidelines.
- Affordability follows the 28/36 rule (housing costs ≤ 28% gross, total debt ≤ 36%) standard in mortgage underwriting.
Authoritative data sources:
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey archive, weekly US mortgage rate benchmark
- FRED, 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage, Federal Reserve historical rate data
- FHFA Conforming Loan Limits, county-level conforming/jumbo cutoffs
- HUD FHA Mortgage Limits, county FHA forward loan limit lookup
- CFPB Rate Explorer, consumer mortgage rate-shopping tool
- U.S. Census, Ames QuickFacts, local population and income estimates
Disclaimer: Rate quotes shown are based on weekly published averages and are for informational use only, they are not loan offers. Your actual rate depends on credit score, loan-to-value, debt-to-income ratio, occupancy, and lender-specific factors. Get personalized quotes from at least 3 licensed lenders before committing. Use the CFPB Rate Explorer to compare offers.
Last updated from Freddie Mac PMMS data on September 10, 2026. Source reviewed May 29, 2026 against public mortgage, housing, and consumer-protection data before publication.
First-Time Buyer Assistance & Local Programs in Ames
Beyond conventional 30-year fixed rates, Ames buyers may qualify for low-down-payment programs, down-payment assistance (DPA), or tax-credit programs. Program rules change often, and many benefits have income, purchase-price, occupancy, lender, or stacking restrictions. Verify the current rules before assuming eligibility:
- NCSHA state HFA directory, find the official state housing agency
- USA.gov state housing help, state-level housing resources
- Confirm current income, purchase-price, loan-type, and stacking rules with the program administrator
- Get quotes from multiple lenders inside a short rate-shopping window
- Check annualcreditreport.com first (free)
- Lock rate when within 60 days of closing
- FHA MIP vs PMI removal rules differ
Program note: Iowa HFA benefits can be valuable, but the lowest advertised rate is not always the cheapest total loan once points, mortgage insurance, assistance repayment rules, and closing costs are included. Compare full Loan Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mortgages in Ames
What are the current mortgage rates in Ames, IA?
As of September 10, 2026, the 30-year fixed benchmark shown for Ames, Iowa is 6.76%, while the 15-year fixed benchmark is 6.09%. FHA, VA, ARM, and jumbo rows are informational benchmarks. Your actual APR depends on lender pricing, credit score, points, loan amount, down payment, occupancy, and fees.
How much is a monthly mortgage payment in Ames?
Based on the median home price of $303,902 with 20% down, the estimated monthly mortgage payment in Ames is $1,579 for principal and interest. Including estimated property taxes of $398/month, the total monthly housing cost before insurance, HOA, PMI/MIP, and local assessments is approximately $1,977.
What income do I need to buy a home in Ames?
Using the 28% rule, you would need an annual income of approximately $84,729 to afford the median-priced home in Ames at $303,902. Amortio's median household income input for Ames is $42,250. This means most households would need to either earn above the median or consider homes below $303,902.
Is Ames a good place to buy a home in 2026?
Ames offers a below-average cost of living with a cost of living index of 90.5 (national average = 100). The property tax rate in Iowa is 1.57%, which is above the national average. Ames has a population of 66,427 and offers a very affordable lifestyle.
Mortgage Rates in Other Iowa Cities
Related Tools & Guides
Sources & Methodology
- 30-yr/15-yr fixed rates: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), with payment math updated from the latest published benchmark.
- Home price input: $303,902 typical home value for Ames from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), Zillow Research, data through August 2026 (+2.8% YoY, +16.9% over 5 years). ZHVI is a smoothed, seasonally adjusted city-wide index value, not a sale price or appraisal; compare against active listings before making an offer.
- Property tax rate: 1.57% effective estimate; buyers should verify local taxing units, exemptions, reassessments, and escrow assumptions with the county, lender, or tax office.
- Median household income: $42,250 Amortio city income input (rounded planning figure; compare with the Census ACS estimate in QuickFacts).
- Calculations: standard amortization formula M = P[r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1], with r = monthly rate, n = 360 months, P = loan amount (80% of home price).
Last updated from rate source: September 10, 2026. Source and page review: May 29, 2026. Rates are national informational benchmarks applied to Ames, Iowa. Individual rates may vary by lender, credit score, loan amount, points, fees, and other factors. Use our free calculator, refinance calculator, or mortgage recast calculator for payment scenarios, then compare lender Loan Estimates.