3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Council Bluffs, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Council Bluffs, Iowa as of October 2026. That's +9% higher than the citywide median of $1,335 and +31% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,130 |
| 2 | Fort Dodge | $1,160 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $1,267 |
| 4 | Newton | $1,270 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $1,290 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $1,300 |
| 7 | Urbandale | $1,307 |
| 8 | Boone | $1,320 |
| 9 | Marion | $1,320 |
| 10 | Davenport | $1,322 |
| 11 | Pella | $1,330 |
| 12 | Burlington | $1,350 |
| 13 | Indianola | $1,420 |
| 14 | Le Claire | $1,440 |
| 15 | Cedar Rapids | $1,458 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,940 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,890 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 4 | North Liberty | $1,790 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,775 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,730 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,700 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $1,690 |
| 9 | Tiffin | $1,650 |
| 10 | Iowa City | $1,623 |
| 11 | Grimes | $1,580 |
| 12 | Bettendorf | $1,580 |
| 13 | Ames | $1,580 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $1,553 |
| 15 | Coralville | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Council Bluffs.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Council Bluffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 9.3 mi | $1,670 | +$210 (+14%) |
| Papillion, NE | 15.2 mi | $1,970 | +$510 (+35%) |
| La Vista, NE | 16.4 mi | $1,790 | +$330 (+23%) |
| Omaha, NE | 16.8 mi | $1,833 | +$373 (+26%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 18.3 mi | $1,510 | +$50 (+3%) |
| Bennington, NE | 26.6 mi | $2,090 | +$630 (+43%) |
| Gretna, NE | 30.6 mi | $2,020 | +$560 (+38%) |
| Fremont, NE | 47.6 mi | $1,410 | $-50 (-3%) |
| Lincoln, NE | 64.7 mi | $1,691 | +$231 (+16%) |
| Sioux City, IA | 91.9 mi | $1,300 | $-160 (-11%) |
| Columbus, NE | 109.3 mi | $1,240 | $-220 (-15%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 124 mi | $1,200 | $-260 (-18%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Council Bluffs — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Council Bluffs?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Council Bluffs, Iowa is $1,460 per month. This is +9% higher than the citywide median of $1,335.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Council Bluffs?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $58,400 ($4,867/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.08/hour at a full-time job.
Is Council Bluffs expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Council Bluffs's 3-bedroom median of $1,460 is +31% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 14th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Council Bluffs rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, Council Bluffs ranks #17 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Council Bluffs?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Fremont ($1,410), Sioux City ($1,300), Columbus ($1,240).