| Index | Council Bluffs | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 90 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 73 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 94 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Council Bluffs? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Council Bluffs stands at 90, making it 10% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 30 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Council Bluffs and this is how they responded. 40% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 60% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Council Bluffs an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Council Bluffs is 33.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 9.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Council Bluffs has a median household income of $79,153, which is 2.7% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Council Bluffs, the utilities index registers at 2% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Council Bluffs, healthcare costs are 5.7% lower than the national average.
The Council Bluffs cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $96,898 | $8,075 | $2,261 | $2,907 |
| Renters | $49,117 | $4,093 | $1,146 | $1,474 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Platte, NE | 139 | 98 | 2.3% |
| Richfield, NE | 14 | 98 | 2.3% |
| Boys Town, NE | 873 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Weston, IA | 144 | 97 | 3.0% |
| Silver City, IA | 332 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 63,786 | 90 | 10.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Palm Harbor, FL | 63,813 | 113 | 13.4% |
| Fredericton, NB | 63,818 | n/a | |
| Reston, VA | 63,840 | 150 | 49.8% |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 63,899 | 148 | 47.8% |
| Burnsville, MN | 63,628 | 112 | 12.4% |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 63,786 | 90 | 10.1% |
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