Bankruptcy by State
Bankruptcy in Iowa
How Iowa's bankruptcy exemptions, Chapter 7 income limits, and filing volume compare to the rest of the country.
Homestead exemption
Unlimited
No dollar cap
Vehicle exemption
$7,000
#10 of 51
Median income (1 person)
$67,617
Chapter 7 means-test threshold
Annual filings
3,703
Year 2025
Iowa vs. national medians
National medians are calculated across all 51 states plus the District of Columbia. Ranks run from #1 (highest) to #51 (lowest). Where a state publishes a range or a conditional amount, the exemption is shown in full and ranked by its guaranteed minimum.
| Metric | Iowa | National median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead exemption | Unlimited | $90,000 | Unlimited |
| Motor vehicle exemption | $7,000 | $7,250 | #10 of 51 |
| Median income (1-person household) | $67,617 | $71,745 | #34 of 51 |
| Median income (4-person household) | $126,058 | $126,058 | #26 of 51 |
| Annual bankruptcy filings | 3,703 | 8,707 | #35 of 51 |
Iowa provides an unlimited homestead exemption (subject to federal acreage and time-of-ownership limits under the Bankruptcy Code).