Studio Apartment Rent in Council Bluffs, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Council Bluffs, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +36% lower than the citywide median of $1,348 and +33% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $640 |
| 2 | Marion | $640 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $663 |
| 4 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 5 | Davenport | $698 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $700 |
| 7 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 8 | Newton | $710 |
| 9 | Boone | $720 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 11 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 12 | Burlington | $750 |
| 13 | Pella | $760 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
| 15 | Coralville | $790 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,045 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,040 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,010 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 9 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 10 | Ames | $935 |
| 11 | Grimes | $930 |
| 12 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 13 | Tiffin | $870 |
| 14 | Council Bluffs (this page) | $865 |
| 15 | Iowa City | $853 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Council Bluffs.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Council Bluffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 9.3 mi | $985 | +$120 (+14%) |
| Papillion, NE | 15.2 mi | $1,160 | +$295 (+34%) |
| La Vista, NE | 16.4 mi | $1,060 | +$195 (+23%) |
| Omaha, NE | 16.8 mi | $1,082 | +$217 (+25%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 18.3 mi | $890 | +$25 (+3%) |
| Bennington, NE | 26.6 mi | $1,230 | +$365 (+42%) |
| Gretna, NE | 30.6 mi | $1,190 | +$325 (+38%) |
| Fremont, NE | 47.6 mi | $810 | $-55 (-6%) |
| Lincoln, NE | 64.7 mi | $872 | +$7 (+1%) |
| Sioux City, IA | 91.9 mi | $740 | $-125 (-14%) |
| Columbus, NE | 109.3 mi | $650 | $-215 (-25%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 124 mi | $650 | $-215 (-25%) |
Studio rent in Council Bluffs — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Council Bluffs?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Council Bluffs, Iowa is $865 per month. This is +36% below the citywide median of $1,348.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Council Bluffs?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,600 ($2,883/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Council Bluffs expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Council Bluffs's studio median of $865 is +33% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 15th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Council Bluffs rank for studio rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with studio data, Council Bluffs ranks #19 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Council Bluffs?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Fremont ($810), Sioux City ($740), Columbus ($650).