salaryRent is lower than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 17.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,720 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 56 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Council Bluffs?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Council Bluffs
| Size | Council Bluffs | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,131 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $906 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,166 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,339 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,356 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Council Bluffs overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Council Bluffs, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Council Bluffs
Life in Council Bluffs
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Council Bluffs?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $1 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $171,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,180 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Council Bluffs, IA?
Renting in Council Bluffs costs a median of about $1,193 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Council Bluffs?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,720 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Council Bluffs cheap or expensive?
Council Bluffs is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $69,647. It ranks 56th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Council Bluffs?
The median homeowner in Council Bluffs pays $3,063 a year in property taxes, about 1.78% of the median home value.
Is Council Bluffs more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Council Bluffs?
The median home value in Council Bluffs is $171,800, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
62,586 people live in Council Bluffs. Numbers are typical (middle) values.