Home Insurance in Buffalo, Iowa
Homes in Buffalo carry a median value of $122,100 - 45% lower than the Scott County median.
Older homes can cost more to insure or rebuild because of aging wiring, roofing and plumbing. The typical home in Buffalo was built around 1958. About 53% of homes were built before 1960, about 21 points above Scott County's 32%.
Housing in Buffalo breaks down to 95% single-family homes and 4% apartments in buildings with 5+ units.
About 65% of owner-occupied homes in Buffalo have a mortgage. Lenders require hazard (homeowners) insurance on any home carrying a mortgage.
About 76% of occupied homes in Buffalo are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is 13%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy.
88% of homes in Buffalo are primarily heated with natural gas.
What's the biggest home insurance risk near Buffalo? FEMA's National Risk Index points to strong wind (Relatively High) in Scott County and Scott County had 688 active NFIP flood policies as of September 2026. See the full Scott County home insurance overview for all FEMA hazard ratings and flood coverage details.
In Iowa, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $1,342 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $122,100 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1958 |
| Owner-occupied share | 76% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 65% |
| Top county hazard | Strong Wind (Relatively High) |
| Active NFIP policies in Scott County | 688 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,342 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Nearby towns
Sources
Data last updated: 2026-09-29
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)