Council Bluffs, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

Marshalltown is moderately more affordable than Council Bluffs, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. Council Bluffs scores 76 compared to 68 for Marshalltown, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Council Bluffs 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 $864/month in Marshalltown — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshalltown is more affordable at $117,100 median vs $164,300.

Median household income in Council Bluffs is $64,092 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (-6.9%). Marshalltown 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, more than the 15.1% in Marshalltown.