Iowa vs Arizona
Same underlying data as the individual state pages, side by side. Statutory rates and redemption windows only — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.
| | Iowa | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Sale type | Tax lien certificate | Tax lien certificate |
| Rate / penalty | 24% flat (2%/month), no bid-down | Up to 16%, bid down |
| Redemption | 1 year 9 months (+ 90-day notice) | 3+ years |
Both states run the same kind of sale — tax lien certificate — so the real difference between them comes down to rate and redemption, not the underlying mechanism.
Redemption windows differ: Iowa gives owners 1 year 9 months (+ 90-day notice), Arizona gives 3+ years — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
Iowa fixes its tax lien interest at 2% per month (24% a year) under Iowa Code § 447.1, so the rate is never bid down; bidders compete on the smallest percentage of the parcel instead (§ 446.16). After one year and nine months the holder may serve notice, and the right to redeem ends ninety days after service is complete (§ 447.9, § 447.12).
Full Iowa page →Arizona tax lien certificates carry a maximum of 16% simple interest (A.R.S. § 42-18053), auctioned by bid-down like Florida (§ 42-18114). The holder cannot sue to foreclose until three years after the sale and must do so within ten (§ 42-18201), and the owner can redeem until the treasurer's deed is delivered (§ 42-18152).
Full Arizona page →Property & tax market
| | Iowa | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $208,000 | $394,500 |
| Median property tax / year | $2,897 | $1,879 |
| Tax / home value | 1.4% | 0.5% |
| Tax / household income | 3.9% | 2.3% |
| Homes owned outright | 40.6% | 38.2% |
| “Other vacant” homes | 4.0% | 2.2% |
| Median year built | 1972 | 1992 |
A typical home in Iowa pays 1.5× the property tax of one in Arizona ($2,897 against $1,879 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical Iowa lien ties up about 1.5× the money of an Arizona one — and, at the same rate, earns 1.5× the dollars.
Homes owned outright — where no lender has a reason to pay the delinquent bill for the owner — are 40.6% of owner-occupied homes in Iowa and 38.2% in Arizona. The Census “other vacant” share (foreclosures, homes in legal limbo or needing repairs, abandoned homes) is 4.0% against 2.2%: Iowa has more of the empty properties that tend to go unredeemed — and to need work if the deed ends up yours.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25077, B25103, B25081, B25002, B25004, B25035, B19013). Medians of what owners report paying, not statutory rates. County-level figures are on each state page.
Quick answers
Is Iowa or Arizona a tax lien state?+
Iowa is a tax lien certificate state. Arizona is a tax lien certificate state.
Which has the higher rate, Iowa or Arizona?+
Iowa: 24% flat (2%/month), no bid-down. Arizona: Up to 16%, bid down. Compare the actual statutory ceiling, not just the headline number — most "up to" rates get bid down at auction.
Which redeems faster, Iowa or Arizona?+
Redemption windows differ: Iowa gives owners 1 year 9 months (+ 90-day notice), Arizona gives 3+ years — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
Are property taxes higher in Iowa or Arizona?+
The median homeowner pays $2,897 a year in Iowa and $1,879 in Arizona (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates). A typical home in Iowa pays 1.5× the property tax of one in Arizona ($2,897 against $1,879 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical Iowa lien ties up about 1.5× the money of an Arizona one — and, at the same rate, earns 1.5× the dollars.
Want to line up more than two states, or swap in different ones? Use the interactive comparison tool — up to four states at once.
See where these two rank against all 50 states: full rankings.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates and redemption periods are set by state statute and can change by county or legislative session — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.