2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Council Bluffs, IA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Council Bluffs, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,348 and +34% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $880 |
| 2 | Newton | $920 |
| 3 | Boone | $940 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $940 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $950 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $970 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $980 |
| 9 | Davenport | $1,014 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $1,038 |
| 11 | Indianola | $1,060 |
| 12 | Coralville | $1,070 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $1,080 |
| 14 | Burlington | $1,090 |
| 15 | Council Bluffs (this page) | $1,100 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,445 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,410 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,390 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,330 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,325 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,290 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,280 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,270 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,260 |
| 10 | Bettendorf | $1,210 |
| 11 | Tiffin | $1,180 |
| 12 | Grimes | $1,180 |
| 13 | Iowa City | $1,160 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $1,158 |
| 15 | Ames | $1,130 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Council Bluffs.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Council Bluffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 9.3 mi | $1,255 | +$155 (+14%) |
| Papillion, NE | 15.2 mi | $1,480 | +$380 (+35%) |
| La Vista, NE | 16.4 mi | $1,350 | +$250 (+23%) |
| Omaha, NE | 16.8 mi | $1,380 | +$280 (+25%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 18.3 mi | $1,140 | +$40 (+4%) |
| Bennington, NE | 26.6 mi | $1,570 | +$470 (+43%) |
| Gretna, NE | 30.6 mi | $1,520 | +$420 (+38%) |
| Fremont, NE | 47.6 mi | $1,060 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Lincoln, NE | 64.7 mi | $1,206 | +$106 (+10%) |
| Sioux City, IA | 91.9 mi | $1,080 | $-20 (-2%) |
| Columbus, NE | 109.3 mi | $940 | $-160 (-15%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 124 mi | $960 | $-140 (-13%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Council Bluffs — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Council Bluffs?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Council Bluffs, Iowa is $1,100 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,348.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Council Bluffs?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $44,000 ($3,667/month gross), which works out to roughly $21.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Council Bluffs expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Council Bluffs's 2-bedroom median of $1,100 is +34% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 12th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Council Bluffs rank for 2-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 2-bedroom data, Council Bluffs ranks #15 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Council Bluffs?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Fremont ($1,060), Sioux City ($1,080), Columbus ($940).