How much does it cost to rent in Council Bluffs, IA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Council Bluffs, IA is $1,348. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Council Bluffs cheaper than other Iowa cities?

Council Bluffs is one of the pricier cities in Iowa, ranking #10 out of 32 cities tracked at $1,348/mo.

When was Council Bluffs rent data last updated?

Council Bluffs rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IA

Council Bluffs

Name: Average Rent Prices in Council Bluffs, IA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 62,586·10th most expensive in Iowa·Council Bluffs rents are up 10.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,348/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.8%

Month-over-Month

+3.1%

vs US Median

-$617

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Council Bluffs rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Council Bluffs · $1,348

More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

48/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Council Bluffs's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$1,348/mo

Expected by trend

$1,333/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Council Bluffs's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$865

1 BR

$920

2 BR

$1,100

3 BR

$1,460

4 BR+

$1,625

Research median

$1,100/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$16,176/yr

At $1,348/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.8% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Council Bluffs, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

62,586

Median income

$64,578

Median age

38.7

Renters

36.9%

Age distribution

22.2%

23.1%

24.2%

13%

17.5%

Under 1822.2%

18–3423.1%

35–5424.2%

55–6413%

65+17.5%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

85.4%

White85.4%

Black2.8%

Hispanic11.6%

Asian1.1%

Education (25+)

35.3%

31.7%

21.5%

No HS diploma11.5%

HS diploma35.3%

Some college31.7%

Bachelor's+21.5%

Housing tenure

63.1%

36.9%

Owner63.1%

Renter36.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Council Bluffs, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,020 → $1,348

up 32.2%

Income

$57,683 → $64,578

up 12.0%

Population

62,617 → 62,586

up 0.0%

Renter share

36.5% → 36.9%

+0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

20.3% → 21.5%

+1.2 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Council Bluffs, IA has shifted from $1,020 to $1,348, up 32.2% since 2022. Median household income climbed from $57,683 to $64,578 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.0% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Council Bluffs, IA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Council Bluffs

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Council Bluffs rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Council Bluffs on your salary?

At $1,348/mo, how Council Bluffs rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 18.6% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 26.2% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 22.8% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 12.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 10% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 28% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 31% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 25.2% income

affordable

By apartment size

Council Bluffs rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Council Bluffs. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Council Bluffs

About renting in Council Bluffs, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Council Bluffs is $1,348/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $865/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,100/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,460/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($64,578/yr), Council Bluffs ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Council Bluffs an affordable city for renters?

Council Bluffs is considered affordable for renters. At $1,348/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($64,578/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Council Bluffs falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Council Bluffs?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,348/mo in Council Bluffs. The local median household income is $64,578/yr, meaning the typical Council Bluffs household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Council Bluffs?

Rent in Council Bluffs has increased 10.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Council Bluffs neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Council Bluffs are 51503 ($1,270/mo), and 51501 ($1,375/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Council Bluffs is $1,348/mo.

How does Council Bluffs rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Council Bluffs is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #10 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,348/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Council Bluffs?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Council Bluffs ($1,348/mo): Plattsmouth ($1,276/mo), La Vista ($1,315/mo).

What percentage of Council Bluffs residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.9% of Council Bluffs households are renters, while 63.1% are owner-occupied. Council Bluffs leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Council Bluffs rent compare to the national average?

Council Bluffs's median rent of $1,348/mo is $617 (31%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #10 out of 32 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

25%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,348/mo, rent takes ~25% of Council Bluffs's median household income ($64,578/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Council Bluffs 25%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.8%

Run the Council Bluffs affordability calculator →

Nearby cities