Council Bluffs, IA vs Iowa City, IA

Council Bluffs is moderately more affordable than Iowa City, with a 13.9% lower cost of living index. Council Bluffs scores 76 compared to 88 for Iowa City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Iowa City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Council Bluffs is $980/month compared to $1,094/month in Iowa City — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Council Bluffs is more affordable at $164,300 median vs $273,600.

Median household income in Council Bluffs is $64,092 compared to $57,533 in Iowa City (+11.4%). Council Bluffs offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Council Bluffs spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Iowa City.