Is My Iowa Cash Rent Fair? 2026 Numbers by County
By Jared Jasso, Kinacres · September 2026
If you own Iowa farmland and rent it to a tenant, you have probably wondered whether your rent is in the right range. Most landowners who live away from the farm have no easy way to know. Here is how to check, using the same survey Iowa's farm managers and lenders rely on.
The short answer
Iowa State University surveys land owners, farmers, lenders and farm managers every spring. In 2026, typical cash rent for corn and soybean ground averaged $270 per acre statewide, essentially flat from $271 in 2025 and below the $279 peak of 2023 and 2024.
That statewide number hides a wide range. County averages run from $173 per acre in Wayne County to $332 in Sioux County.
What land rents for near Des Moines
| County | Overall average | High-quality land | Medium | Low-quality land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $290 | $330 | $283 | $257 |
| Boone | $285 | $328 | $277 | $249 |
| Jasper | $282 | $322 | $278 | $246 |
| Story | $281 | $317 | $282 | $245 |
| Polk | $267 | $320 | $261 | $219 |
| Warren | $242 | $294 | $233 | $200 |
| Madison | $220 | $254 | $218 | $188 |
The highest-renting counties are in northwest and northeast Iowa: Sioux ($332), Lyon ($331), Delaware ($325), Dubuque ($321), Monona ($319) and Ida ($317). The lowest are in south-central Iowa, where soils are more rolling and yields lower: Wayne ($173), Lucas ($187), Davis ($200), Decatur and Ringgold ($201), and Clarke ($207).
Why “average” isn't the whole story
Within a single county, the best ground can rent for far more than the weakest. In Dubuque County, the gap between high- and low-quality averages is $171 per acre. That is why the survey splits every county into thirds by land quality:
- High quality: your most productive, best-drained ground
- Medium quality: typical ground for the area
- Low quality: lighter, wetter or more rolling ground
If your farm has strong soils, comparing it with the county's overall average will make your rent look better than it is. Compare it with the high-quality third instead. Your county assessor's records list your farm's CSR2 soil rating, which is the best single measure of land quality.
Other things that move rent up or down
A rent below the county average isn't automatically unfair. Rent also reflects:
- Field size and shape. Large, square fields are cheaper to farm than small or irregular ones.
- Drainage and tile. Well-tiled ground commands more.
- Buildings and grain storage. The survey excludes these, so they can justify extra rent.
- The relationship. Many owners accept a little less rent for a tenant who takes excellent care of the land, communicates well, and has farmed it for decades.
- Lease terms. Who pays for lime, fertilizer, conservation practices or tiling changes what a fair rent looks like.
The date every Iowa landowner should know: September 1
Iowa farm leases renew automatically each year unless written notice is given. Under Iowa Code section 562.7, notice to end a farm lease must be served by September 1, and the lease then ends the following March 1. If you want to discuss rent or terms for next season, the conversation needs to happen well before September.
How to check your own rent in two minutes
Use the free Kinacres Rent Check: pick your county, choose your land quality, and enter your acres and rent. You will see how you compare with your county's 2026 average and what the difference adds up to each year. No sign-up required.
If you want the full picture, including lease dates, property tax status and USDA program deadlines, a Kinacres Landowner Report puts it all in one plain-English document.