What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Centerville, IA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Centerville is a city in Appanoose County, Iowa, with an estimated population of 5,345. The median home value in Centerville is $82,437 as of 2026-04, down 9.0% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged -6.6% annual growth, and the market currently sits about 29% below its 5-year peak. The composite momentum score is 18 of 100 (Declining). The market is well off recent highs — patient long-term buyers may find opportunities, but resale liquidity is reduced.
Prices well off recent highs (-28.8% from peak, -9.0% YoY). Patient long-term buyers may find opportunities, but resale liquidity is reduced.
Reasons people move here
- Cheap entry point: $82,437 median home is well below the US median of $355k — room to grow without overpaying.
- The data is the data: Centerville has at least 5 years of Zillow tracking, full Census identification, and is included in the 2-criteria momentum score on this page.
Things to know first
- Prices actively falling: down 9.0% in the last 12 months — buyer sentiment has flipped. Sellers competing on price.
- 29% off the 5-year peak. That's not a healthy correction — that's a market that ran too far and is still digesting.
- Flat or shrinking population: -0.3% per year. Housing demand has to come from somewhere — verify the source.
- Thin housing market: small population means fewer transactions and slower resale. Liquidity risk on exit.
More about Centerville
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.