RentDataNowRentDataNow
ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 51503

Pop. 37,972·Pottawattamie County·21st most expensive ZIP in Iowa
Median rent (all units)
$1,270/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.0%
Month-over-Month
+8.9%
vs US Median
-$695
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss 51503 rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 51503 · $1,270
More affordable than 88% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$920
1 BR
$970
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,540
4 BR+
$1,730
Research median
$1,160/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
$15,240/yr
At $1,270/mo median
Location
StateIA
CountyPottawattamie County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, +8.9% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 51503 (Council Bluffs, IA) is majority owner-occupied, 30.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,972
Median income
$79,010
Median age
40.6
Renters
31.4%
Age distribution
22.9%
20%
24.4%
13.2%
19.5%
Under 1822.9%
18–3420%
35–5424.4%
55–6413.2%
65+19.5%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
89.6%
White89.6%
Black3.1%
Hispanic5%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
30.5%
32.7%
30.5%
No HS diploma6.2%
HS diploma30.5%
Some college32.7%
Bachelor's+30.5%
Housing tenure
68.6%
31.4%
Owner68.6%
Renter31.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 51503 in Council Bluffs, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$70,741 → $79,010
up 11.7%
Population
37,408 → 37,972
up 1.5%
Renter share
31.2% → 31.4%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
30.4% → 30.5%
+0.1 pts
Median age
41.1 → 40.6
-0.5 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $79,010 today, compared with $70,741 five years earlier. The population has grown by 1.5% since 2021, moving from about 37,408 residents to roughly 37,972.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 51503

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 51503

About renting in ZIP 51503

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 51503 covers Council Bluffs, IA. The median rent here is $1,270/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $970/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,160/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($79,010/yr), ZIP 51503 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 51503?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 51503 (Council Bluffs, IA) is $1,270. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 51503 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 51503's median rent of $1,270/mo is $695 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 51503 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 51503 falls in the middle range for Iowa, ranking #21 out of 55 ZIPs at $1,270/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 51503?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,270/mo in ZIP 51503. The local median household income is $79,010/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 51503?

Rent in ZIP 51503 has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 51503 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 51503 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,270/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($79,010/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 51503 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 51503 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.4% of ZIP 51503 households are renters, while 68.6% are owner-occupied. ZIP 51503 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 51503 compare to the rest of Council Bluffs?

ZIP 51503 is more affordable than Council Bluffs overall. At $1,270/mo, it's $78 below the Council Bluffs citywide median of $1,348/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 51503 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 51503 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,270/mo, rent takes ~19% of ZIP 51503's median household income ($79,010/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 51503 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 51503 (Council Bluffs, IA)

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for this ZIP.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.