Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Council Bluffs is a medium-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 62,376 residents. At 91%, the majority of the Council Bluffs population is White; this is followed by 2% Black and 1% Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Council Bluffs will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Council Bluffs is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Iowa, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Council Bluffs, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, cost of living and more.
The livability score in Council Bluffs is 67 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 71st percentile of all cities across America. Based on the grades for each individual category, Council Bluffs has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). On a more negative note, Council Bluffs does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (D) and crime (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Council Bluffs excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that Council Bluffs meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Council Bluffs. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Council Bluffs are simply unattainable. The median home price for Council Bluffs homes is $122,400, which is 7.8% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Council Bluffs, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.3, which is 4.2% lower than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Council Bluffs | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.0% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.4% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.9% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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