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Cost to drill a well in Iowa: $8,100–$42,600 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Iowa typically costs $8,100–$42,600, with a midpoint of $22,700. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 210 ft across 9,816 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at national driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Key figures for Iowa

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $22,700) $8,100–$42,6001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $5,500–$31,5001,2,3,4,5,6
Median well depth (9,816 reports) 210 ft1
Middle half of wells 140 ft to 300 ft1
Drilling rate (national rates) $25–$75/ft3

Estimate a well in Iowa

Typical total: $8,100–$42,600, midpoint $22,700.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Depths from 9,816 domestic well reports in Iowa, 2016–2025: 140 ft (25th percentile), 205 ft (median), 300 ft (75th percentile).

Low uses the 25th percentile depth at low rates; high uses the 75th percentile at high rates.
Line itemLowMidHigh
Drilling (per foot of depth) (205 ft × $50/ft)$3,500$10,300$22,5003
Casing, installed (133 ft × $28/ft)$1,300$3,700$6,0004
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5005
Well permit ($50–$500)$100$300$5006
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0007
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($500–$1,800)$500$1,200$1,8007
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0008
Water quality test ($50–$250)$100$200$3009
Total$8,100$22,700$42,600

Casing depth of 133 ft is a model assumption; the records for this area do not report casing.2

No state rate survey yet, so national driller rates are used.

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Well depth by county in Iowa

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Iowa. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 1,720 ft
Pottawattamie 397 180 90–230
Johnson 369 300 150–400
Clinton 336 210 170–260
Washington 328 190 130–250
Allamakee 305 380 180–440
Delaware 289 200 160–260
Woodbury 270 210 120–280
Clayton 267 400 240–520
Linn 252 280 230–330
Monona 251 100 90–180
Jones 238 260 220–300
Jackson 229 270 200–420
Scott 219 260 170–300
Winneshiek 219 380 300–460
Cerro Gordo 206 260 210–330
Cedar 203 210 170–240
Harrison 201 190 110–250
Polk 198 200 200–300
Fayette 190 200 150–400
Mills 176 150 90–240
Benton 167 310 240–400
Guthrie 167 140 80–200
Black Hawk 160 170 110–220
Louisa 160 140 90–180
Dallas 152 200 180–200
Franklin 149 160 120–280
Chickasaw 143 170 130–200
Howard 142 180 150–240
Buchanan 139 220 160–260
Hamilton 139 310 220–410
Story 139 200 180–300
Butler 127 170 140–220
Calhoun 126 180 140–260
Dubuque 125 270 200–450
Sac 122 220 160–380
Greene 119 150 110–200
Palo Alto 117 220 130–290
Bremer 112 140 120–190
Floyd 110 200 160–230
Plymouth 110 260 180–420
Humboldt 105 150 110–200
Hancock 100 150 120–190
Pocahontas 96 210 140–270
Kossuth 90 180 120–240
Webster 88 400 260–530
Clay 83 200 40–360
Warren 83 200 190–300
Sioux 80 210 50–480
Hardin 77 160 130–220
Iowa 76 190 160–380
Buena Vista 69 340 180–420
Mitchell 69 180 140–240
Wright 68 160 120–210
Cass 61 160 90–200
Lyon 57 210 50–400
Keokuk 52 240 180–300
Winnebago 49 200 160–220
Fremont 48 80 60–140
Poweshiek 48 230 160–340
Audubon 46 180 60–210
O'Brien 39 210 200–490
Shelby 37 60 60–200
Emmet 33 280 160–320
Ida 33 210 210–300
Lee 32 160 120–180
Carroll 31 170 120–210
Grundy* 29 170 150–300
Muscatine* 28 110 80–260
Henry* 26 210 170–270
Cherokee* 24 300 210–430
Tama* 19 430 370–490
Marion* 17 260 200–340
Worth* 15 140 120–180
Crawford* 14 200 60–360
Montgomery* 14 50 40–140
Dickinson* 13 200 100–340
Des Moines* 11 160 130–170
Adair* 9 50 40–50
Davis* 9 460 400–550
Union* 8 200 200–200
Clarke* 7 200 200–250
Wapello* 7 50 30–230
Jasper* 6 190 180–280
Page* 6 40 30–50
Ringgold* 5 60 50–200
Decatur* 4 40 30–70
Madison* 4 80 60–100
Osceola* 4 130 60–220
Jefferson* 3 280 240–830
Lucas* 3 720 560–1,720
Marshall* 3 220 160–220
Monroe* 3 460 460–1,200
Adams* 2 40 40–40
Appanoose* 2 280 220–340
Boone* 2 230 180–290
Van Buren* 1 340 340–340

* 30 counties have fewer than 30 reports. Estimates there use the statewide figures.

Median depth runs from 60 ft in Shelby County to 400 ft in Webster County. At national rates that difference is worth about $23,200 at the midpoint estimate. 30 of 96 counties have fewer than 30 reports; the calculator uses the statewide figure for those.

Sources1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Where the money goes on a Iowa well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $25–$75/ft, so the hole alone runs $3,500–$22,500 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $1,300–$6,000 at $10–$45/ft. Rig setup is a flat $600–$2,500.

The pump, pressure tank, and trench to the house add $2,500–$10,800 on top of the hole. A quote that looks low next to the range above often leaves those three out, so ask for it itemized.

Sources3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Permits and driller licensing in Iowa

Water wells in Iowa fall under Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Private Well Program, with county boards of supervisors. A private well construction permit is required, and either the Iowa DNR or a county with delegated authority issues it. The permit expires one calendar year after issuance. Each private well construction permit requires that the well be built by a certified well contractor under Chapter 49 and 567-Chapter 82.

Sources10

Groundwater and well construction in Iowa

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 130 ft Total depth about 210 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 210 ft well with casing to 130 ft, the Iowa median

Iowa lies in the Midwest glacial region where USGS maps the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system, the Silurian-Devonian aquifer, the Mississippian aquifer and the Cretaceous and Pennsylvanian aquifers.

A well at the Iowa median reaches 210 ft with casing to about 130 ft, a model assumption because the records here do not report casing. A private well must be at least 100 feet from the open portion of a septic system, such as the soil absorption area, and at least 50 feet from the closed portion, such as the tank.

Sources11,2,10

Iowa compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Iowa210 ft$8,100–$42,600
Illinois170 ft$6,400–$38,000
Minnesota100 ft$8,600–$28,500
Missouri370 ft$11,200–$55,400
Nebraska160 ft$6,700–$36,100
South Dakota200 ft$7,000–$48,500
Wisconsin130 ft$6,100–$32,100

Sources12,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Iowa?

Half of the 9,816 domestic wells reported in Iowa from 2016–2025 are between 140 ft and 300 ft deep, and the median is 210 ft. Your county can sit well above or below that, so check the county table on this page before you compare quotes.

How much does it cost per foot to drill a well in Iowa?

Drilling alone runs $25–$75/ft on the rates we compiled. Spread across a whole finished well, including casing, pump, tank, and hookup, the midpoint estimate works out to about $111/ft at a depth of 210 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

Do you need a permit to drill a well in Iowa?

A private well construction permit is required, and either the Iowa DNR or a county with delegated authority issues it. The permit expires one calendar year after issuance. The driller usually files the paperwork, but the permit is tied to your property, so ask for a copy.

How much do a well pump and pressure tank add in Iowa?

An installed submersible pump with wire and drop pipe runs $1,000–$4,000, and a pressure tank with its switch runs $500–$1,800. Together they are often the line items missing from a drilling quote, so a quote for the hole alone will look $3,700 cheaper than a finished well.

Related pages

For every state side by side and the national range, see our national cost table.

Sources

  1. Private Well Tracking System, Wells in Iowa , Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  2. Default casing share of well depth , Cost to Drill a Well. Accessed November 9, 2026. Median of state casing_p50 / depth_p50 across states that report casing. Used only where no local casing median exists.
  3. Water Well Installation: Complete Guide, Cost and Tips for Success , Stevens Drilling (La Vernia, TX). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2025-10-27. Drilling $25-$65/ft; pumps $500-$2,000; pressure tank $300-$1,500; permit/licensing $100-$750; total $7,500-$17,000+.
  4. Cost to Drill a Water Well in Northern California , Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. (Sebastopol, CA). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-04-30. Drilling $35-$130/ft; steel casing $20-$45/ft; pump and pressure tank $3,500-$9,000; permitting $500-$2,500.
  5. D-203(5) Statewide Drilling Services, Exhibit D Price Schedule (Thein Well Co., contract 226711) , Minnesota Office of State Procurement. Accessed November 8, 2026. 2023 state-contract unit rates from a licensed MN driller: 6-in borehole $30-$31/ft (mud rotary/auger), $75/ft air rotary in rock; 6-in casing $28/ft (code) to $48/ft (black steel); mobilization $1,000/project; 34-gal pressure tank installed $1,000, 62-gal $1,450; submersible pump 3/4-1 hp $1,250-$1,350 each; drop pipe $7/ft; pitless and lateral $2,000; trench $20/LF. Agency-buyer rates, not retail quotes.
  6. Compilation of fetched state and county well permit fees (research/rates/NOTES.md, section permit) , costtodrillawell.com research. Accessed November 8, 2026. Internal compilation used only for the national permit fallback. Component sources: ok-owrb-well-driller-fact-sheet ($0), fl-nwfwmd-well-fees through fl-manatee-water-wells-2026 ($35-$265), ny-dutchess-dbch-fees ($45), wi-dnr-well-notification ($50.50), ga-pierce-well-permit-2024 ($70), idaho-code-42-235 ($75), crs-37-92-602 ($100), az-ars-45-596 ($100-$150), nmac-19-27-5 ($125), wa-rcw-18-104-055 ($200), nc-wayne-private-wells through nc-gaston-eh-fees ($225-$450), mi-grand-traverse-fees-2026 and mi-delta-menominee-fees-2025 ($240-$334), mt-dnrc-form-613-2025 ($250-$400), pa-chester-county-health-fees ($300), mn-stat-103i-208 ($325), oh-logan-fees-2024 through oh-summit-fees-2025 ($350-$594), or-hb2808-2025 ($490), blanco-pedernales-gcd-fees-2025 ($500), ca-calaveras-fees-2026 ($693), ny-nyc-well-water-permit ($1,090 outlier).
  7. How Much Does a Well Pressure Tank Cost? , Mid Atlantic Water LLC (water-system supplier, nationwide). Accessed November 8, 2026. Updated 2026-10-14; prices live as of 2026-09. Tank replaced by plumber $800-$1,800 all-in (20-44 gal); labor $200-$500; submersible pump job $1,000-$2,500; tank plus pump $2,500-$5,000+. Supplier, not an installer.
  8. What Are the Cost Factors of Drilling a Santa Fe Water Well? , Boylan Water Well Service (Santa Fe, NM). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-06-25. Drilling incl. PVC casing $28-$65/ft; submersible pump $850-$2,500; casing and grouting $1,500-$4,000; pressure tank and controls $500-$1,800; electrical hookup and trenching $1,000-$3,500; permits and lab testing $300-$1,000; turn-key $12,000-$30,000+.
  9. DSHS Austin Laboratory Fee Schedule, effective 2026-09-01 , Texas Department of State Health Services. Accessed November 8, 2026. Potable Water (coliform) MZZ0441A $18.39; Nitrate-N EZZ0048A $30.00; Routine Water Mineral Group $155; All Metals $165; VOCs $150.
  10. Iowa Administrative Code 567-Chapter 49, Nonpublic Water Wells: Permits and Construction , Iowa Legislature. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  11. Ground Water Atlas of the United States, Segment 9 (HA 730-J): Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin , USGS. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  12. ILWATER, Water and Related Wells , Illinois State Geological Survey. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  13. Minnesota Well Index , Minnesota Department of Health. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  14. Minn. Stat. 103I.208 Well Notification and Permit Fees , Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Accessed November 8, 2026. Water supply well construction notification $325 (includes $40 state core function fee); sealing $125. Effective 2025-07-01 per MDH fee schedule (https://www.health.mn.gov/communities/environment/water/wells/feesched.html). Delegated county/city programs set their own fees.
  15. Water Testing , Washington County, Minnesota, Public Health & Environment. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. Standard drinking water test (coliform and nitrate) $50; coliform $25; nitrate $25.
  16. Water well records (WIMS) , Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  17. Registered groundwater wells , Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  18. Water well completion reports , South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  19. Well Construction Reports , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  20. Well Construction Notification , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. The Well Construction Notification fee is $50.50. Some counties add a sanitary permit.
  21. Public Environmental and Water Testing Prices, effective 2026-07-01 , Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. Accessed November 8, 2026. Bacteria (total coliform/E. coli) P/A $35.00; Nitrate $35.00; Nitrite $38; HUD/FHA-VA loan package $146.00; Homeowner package (5 bottle) $450.00.

How these figures are built: methodology. Updated November 2026.