Cost of Living in Council Bluffs, IA 2026
2%
|
Higher Than National Avg.
116%
|
Lower Than State Avg.
Council Bluffs's 2026 cost of living is $2513 per month for singles and $5534 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Council Bluffs are 2% higher than the U.S. national average and 116% lower than Iowa's state average.
This reflects a 1% increase from 2025.
The primary drivers of Council Bluffs's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Council Bluffs's cost of living affects your budget or salary needs with Salary.com's free Cost of Living Calculator.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Council Bluffs's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in Council Bluffs is more expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 18.6 % lower at $976
per month for a single person and $1790 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 23.8 %
below average at $305
monthly for an individual and $991 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 18.6 % lower at about $712 per month
for one person and $1567 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $1993
for a single person and $4348 for a family of four,
making Council Bluffs one of America's most expensive cities.
| Expense Category | Average Monthly Expense Single Person | Average Monthly Expense Family of Four | Council Bluffs compare to: U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
976 | 1790 |
|
|
305 | 991 |
|
|
157 | 269 |
|
|
338 | 718 |
|
|
217 | 580 |
|
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Council Bluffs?
Council Bluffs's 2025 cost of living is 86% lower than San Francisco,
41% less than Washington, 16% below Miami
, 11% lower than Chicago, 51% less than Boston
, and 72% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Council Bluffs.
| Move From | Move To | Cost of Living Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | Council Bluffs |
|
| Washington, DC | Council Bluffs |
|
| Miami, FL | Council Bluffs |
|
| Chicago, IL | Council Bluffs |
|
| Boston, MA | Council Bluffs |
|
| New York, NY | Council Bluffs |
|
| Dallas, TX | Council Bluffs |
|
About Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The city is the most populous in Southwest Iowa, and forms part of the Omaha (Nebr.) Metropolitan Area. It is located on the east bank of the Missouri River, across from the city of Omaha. Council Bluffs was known, until at least 1853, as Kanesville. It was the historic starting point of the Mormon Trail. Kanesville is also the northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trails, since there was a steam powered boat to ferry their wagons, and cattle, across the Missouri River.
Council Bluffs' popula...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Council Bluffs, IA
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
Iowa is ranked number 6 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
(
2025-12-24
salary.com
)
Cold winters and the cost of living
Energy is one of the costs that contribute to the cost of living in a state. The cost of your utilitiies may fluctuate based on weather conditions. Iowa is noted as a state that has some of the worst winter weather in the U.S. Snow, bitterly cold temperatures, storms and strong winds can force you indoors for days on end. This typical winter weather can drive your energy costs and cost of living higher than in states with a milder climate. Expect to pay more for your utility bills during the winter months. (
2025-12-24
salary.com
)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
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2025-12-24
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What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
(
2025-12-24
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)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
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2025-12-24
salary.com
)
See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay
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See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Last Update: 2025-12-24