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Cost of Living in Council Bluffs, IA

Population 62,586 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,030
Median home value$171,800
Median household income$64,578

The median rent in Council Bluffs, IA is $1,030/month, 6% higher than the Iowa median and 27% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $171,800, 48% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $64,578 a year, 14% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 19.1%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $41,200/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 2.7×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $869/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Council Bluffs vs. Iowa vs. U.S.

Council BluffsIowaU.S.
Median rent$1,030$972$1,413
Median home value$171,800$208,000$332,700
Median household income$64,578$75,059$80,734
Homeownership rate63.1%71.7%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher21.5%31.4%35.7%
Poverty rate15.1%11.1%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.2%3.6%5.2%
Work from home8.4%11.3%15.1%
Median age38.738.638.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Council Bluffs, IA?

The median gross rent in Council Bluffs, IA is $1,030 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Council Bluffs, IA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $41,200 a year in gross income.

Is Council Bluffs, IA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 27% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 2.7 times the median household income.

Other cities in Iowa

Des Moines, IARent $1,090 · Income $65,932Cedar Rapids, IARent $967 · Income $70,424Davenport, IARent $978 · Income $66,200Sioux City, IARent $976 · Income $68,906Iowa City, IARent $1,094 · Income $58,546Ankeny, IARent $1,319 · Income $108,198

Cities with a similar cost of living

Laredo, TXRent $1,030 · Income $63,915Seymour, INRent $1,011 · Income $64,426Staunton, VARent $1,024 · Income $65,581Wausau, WIRent $1,010 · Income $64,389Belleville, ILRent $1,019 · Income $63,535Hickory, NCRent $1,063 · Income $64,576

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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