Council Bluffs, IA vs Mason City, IA

Mason City is moderately more affordable than Council Bluffs, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Council Bluffs scores 76 compared to 69 for Mason City, 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 $874/month in Mason City — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $130,000 median vs $164,300.

Median household income in Council Bluffs is $64,092 compared to $62,369 in Mason City (+2.8%). Council Bluffs does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Council Bluffs spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16.8% in Mason City.