1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Council Bluffs, IA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Council Bluffs, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $1,348 and +34% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Council Bluffs
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Council Bluffs
Compare Council Bluffs's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 2 | Newton | $710 |
| 3 | Marion | $720 |
| 4 | Boone | $730 |
| 5 | Marshalltown | $730 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $740 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $740 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $750 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | $808 |
| 10 | Davenport | $822 |
| 11 | Burlington | $830 |
| 12 | Cedar Falls | $850 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $850 |
| 14 | Pella | $870 |
| 15 | Coralville | $890 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,210 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,180 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,160 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,110 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,110 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,080 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,070 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,060 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,050 |
| 10 | Ames | $1,015 |
| 11 | Grimes | $990 |
| 12 | Tiffin | $980 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $980 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $970 |
| 15 | Iowa City | $967 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Council Bluffs.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Council Bluffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 9.3 mi | $1,045 | +$125 (+14%) |
| Papillion, NE | 15.2 mi | $1,230 | +$310 (+34%) |
| La Vista, NE | 16.4 mi | $1,130 | +$210 (+23%) |
| Omaha, NE | 16.8 mi | $1,151 | +$231 (+25%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 18.3 mi | $950 | +$30 (+3%) |
| Bennington, NE | 26.6 mi | $1,310 | +$390 (+42%) |
| Gretna, NE | 30.6 mi | $1,270 | +$350 (+38%) |
| Fremont, NE | 47.6 mi | $880 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Lincoln, NE | 64.7 mi | $975 | +$55 (+6%) |
| Sioux City, IA | 91.9 mi | $850 | $-70 (-8%) |
| Columbus, NE | 109.3 mi | $720 | $-200 (-22%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 124 mi | $730 | $-190 (-21%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Council Bluffs — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Council Bluffs?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Council Bluffs, Iowa is $920 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $1,348.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Council Bluffs?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $36,800 ($3,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $17.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Council Bluffs expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Council Bluffs's 1-bedroom median of $920 is +34% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 14th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Council Bluffs rank for 1-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 1-bedroom data, Council Bluffs ranks #17 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Council Bluffs?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Fremont ($880), Sioux City ($850), Columbus ($720).