Rows tagged local are specific to Council Bluffs (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Omaha, NE. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district Council Bluffs Comm School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
92.5
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.6
metro-area
#100 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.26
metro-area
#64 of 200 metros
Median household income
$61,181
local
#2568 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$38,060
local
#2314 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.5 years
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
39.1%
metro-area
#48 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
7.9%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
66.3%
metro-area
#102 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.15%
local
#1185 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+0.6%
local
#2244 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$153,400
local
#272 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.5×
local
#244 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.2%
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$93
local
#395 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,649 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$964
local
#336 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,583
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.2%
state
#148 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.94%
state
#53 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.80%
Capital gains tax
3.80%
state
#123 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.88%
local
#2709 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,892
local
#1199 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.0 years
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
6.8%
metro-area
#58 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
84
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$400
state
#125 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.00% of value (~$280/yr)
state
#184 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
11
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#142 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
75.8%
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
21.8%
metro-area
#20 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
13.9¢/kWh
state
#3 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$125
state
#3 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.10/gal
state
#50 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$73
state
#164 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#115 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$93
state
#16 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#164 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
85.0 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#68 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
50
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,100
metro-area
#99 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
97%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,100
metro-area
#176 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
16
metro-area
#75 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
14°F
metro-area
#185 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
28.0"
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
25.0"
metro-area
#135 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#64 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
5b
Frost window
05-10 → 10-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
300
state
#43 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,800
state
#95 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
54
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Parks
58
Hiking areas
23
Golf courses
21
Shooting ranges
5
Lakes
7
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.