Council Bluffs, IA Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Council Bluffs Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Council Bluffs, IA is a compact short-term rental market with just 34 active Airbnb listings and an average annual revenue of $18,780 per property. Sitting across the Missouri River from Omaha, the market benefits from spillover demand, though occupancy currently sits at 20% — well below the 33% Iowa state average. With an average daily rate of $148 and home values around $373,010, the revenue-to-price ratio lands at an average level, making selective deal sourcing essential for investors looking to enter this market.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Council Bluffs short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Apr, 27 2026.

Why Investors Consider Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs draws investor attention due to its proximity to Omaha's economic and entertainment hubs combined with comparatively affordable home prices relative to the broader metro area.

Expert Market Assessment

"Council Bluffs presents a competitive but selective opportunity for STR investors. The market's ROI score of 52 out of 100 reflects average revenue-to-price fundamentals tempered by below-average occupancy stability and softer growth trends. Seasonality is pronounced — June tops out near $3,187 in average revenue while January dips to just $460, creating a seven-to-one spread that demands careful cash-flow planning. Investors who focus on two-bedroom properties and build robust peak-season strategies can extract reasonable returns, but this is not a market where passive management will thrive."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Council Bluffs

Average revenue by month in Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs displays sharp seasonality, with June peaking at $3,187 and January bottoming out at just $460 — a nearly 7x spread. The warm months from May through September consistently deliver above-average returns, while the November-through-March stretch requires careful budgeting to weather the revenue gap.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Council Bluffs

The market's 34 listings skew toward two-bedroom properties (18 listings) with one-bedrooms accounting for 10. Larger configurations (3+ bedrooms) appear absent from the data, which could signal either low housing stock availability or an untapped niche for investors willing to offer more space.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Council Bluffs

Interestingly, one-bedroom units command a slightly higher ADR of $123 compared to $116 for two-bedrooms, suggesting competitive pricing pressure among the larger supply of two-bedroom listings. This narrow gap means the two-bedroom advantage is driven by occupancy rather than nightly rate premiums.

Average RevPAN by property size in Council Bluffs

Two-bedroom properties deliver a RevPAN of $31, more than double the $14 achieved by one-bedrooms. This stark difference is driven primarily by the occupancy gap, making two-bedroom units clearly the stronger revenue generators on a per-available-night basis.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Council Bluffs

Two-bedroom listings achieve 27% occupancy compared to just 12% for one-bedrooms, indicating that guests in Council Bluffs strongly prefer the additional space. The low one-bedroom occupancy raises concerns about cash-flow consistency for smaller units and suggests investors should prioritize two-bedroom or larger configurations.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Council Bluffs

Two-bedroom properties earn an average of $1,488 per month — nearly double the $782 generated by one-bedroom listings. This gap reinforces that property size is the most significant lever for revenue performance in this market.

Average annual revenue by property size in Council Bluffs

At $17,867 annually, two-bedroom properties generate roughly 90% more revenue than one-bedrooms at $9,390. For investors evaluating return potential against acquisition costs, the two-bedroom configuration offers a meaningfully better path to covering carrying costs and generating positive cash flow.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Council Bluffs

Parking leads at 100% prevalence, reflecting a car-dependent market, while kitchen access (97%), washer (82%), and self check-in (82%) round out the essentials. Pet-friendliness at 56% and workspace availability at 59% suggest a guest mix that includes remote workers and travelers with pets — amenities worth prioritizing to stay competitive.

Understanding Council Bluffs's ROI Score: 52/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Council Bluffs earns an ROI score of 52 out of 100, placing it in the Competitive Opportunity band — meaning the fundamentals are present but require sharper execution to unlock. The revenue-to-price ratio and supply/demand balance both land at average, while occupancy stability and market growth trend rate below average, reflecting the seasonal volatility and rapid supply expansion seen in the data. Pairing this analysis with on-the-ground regulatory research and a focused property strategy will help investors determine whether a specific deal pencils out.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Council Bluffs

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Council Bluffs. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

Council Bluffs, Iowa may require short-term rental hosts to register or obtain a permit before listing their property. Investors should verify current requirements directly with the City of Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County, as local STR regulations can change.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in Iowa markets include occupancy limits, minimum stay requirements, noise ordinances, and parking mandates. HOA covenants may impose additional limitations, and some jurisdictions cap the number of permits issued, so confirming availability before closing on a property is advisable.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental operators in Iowa are generally subject to state sales tax and local hotel/motel taxes on stays of fewer than 31 days. Many booking platforms collect and remit these taxes automatically, but hosts should confirm compliance with Iowa's Department of Revenue to avoid surprises.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Council Bluffs can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Council Bluffs is likely to see continued seasonal swings, with summer months driving the bulk of revenue and winter remaining soft. Active listings have grown 198% year-over-year, which signals rising investor interest but also increased competition that could put downward pressure on occupancy if demand doesn't keep pace. Investors should expect ADR to hold relatively steady in the $140–$155 range, while occupancy may fluctuate between 18–25% depending on how quickly new supply is absorbed. Targeting two-bedroom properties and optimizing for peak-season bookings will be key to achieving meaningful returns."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Council Bluffs, IA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Council Bluffs?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Council Bluffs is currently 20%, which falls below the Iowa state average of 33%. Occupancy varies significantly by property size, with two-bedroom listings averaging 27% and one-bedroom listings averaging just 12%. Seasonal demand patterns and the relatively small market size both contribute to these figures.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Council Bluffs?

Airbnb hosts in Council Bluffs earn an average of $1,565 per month, or approximately $18,780 annually, based on trailing 12-month performance data. Two-bedroom properties significantly outperform one-bedrooms, averaging $17,867 per year compared to $9,390. Revenue peaks in the summer months, with June averaging $3,187 per listing, while winter months like January can drop to around $460.

Is Council Bluffs a good market for Airbnb investment?

Council Bluffs carries an ROI score of 52 out of 100, categorized as a Competitive Opportunity. The market's revenue-to-price ratio is average, and occupancy stability is below average, meaning investors need to be strategic about property selection and pricing. Two-bedroom properties offer the strongest return potential, and proximity to Omaha provides a demand baseline. Success here hinges on disciplined deal sourcing and effective peak-season management rather than set-it-and-forget-it investing.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Council Bluffs?

The average daily rate for Airbnb listings in Council Bluffs is $148, which is well below the Iowa state average of $265. One-bedroom units command $123 per night while two-bedroom properties average $116, an unusual inversion likely driven by competitive pricing strategies among the larger units and differences in listing quality across the small sample of 34 properties.

Are short-term rentals legal in Council Bluffs?

Short-term rentals are generally permitted in Council Bluffs, Iowa, though operators may need to register or obtain a local permit. Regulations can evolve, so prospective investors should check directly with the City of Council Bluffs planning or licensing department and review any applicable HOA restrictions before purchasing a property for STR use.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Council Bluffs?

Peak season in Council Bluffs runs from May through September, with June being the strongest month at an average revenue of $3,187 per listing. May ($2,406), September ($2,064), July ($2,005), and August ($1,906) also perform well above the annual average. The off-season runs from November through March, with January ($460) and February ($491) marking the lowest revenue months.

How many Airbnbs are there in Council Bluffs?

As of April 2026, there are 34 active Airbnb listings in Council Bluffs. The supply is concentrated in smaller properties, with 18 two-bedroom listings and 10 one-bedroom listings making up the majority. Year-over-year listing growth has been significant at 198%, indicating rapidly rising investor interest in this market.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Council Bluffs?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Council Bluffs are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — they are not forward-looking projections. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, filter out regional outliers, and aggregate the results into a market-level historical average. Because each month uses its own historical data, the figures naturally reflect seasonal peaks (like June at $3,187) and slower periods (like January at $460). Individual host results will vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, and how actively the listing is managed.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts for Council Bluffs and surrounding areas
• Occupancy rates and average daily rate trends tracked over time
• Revenue and yield metrics including RevPAN, monthly, and annual averages
• Property size breakdowns for listings, rates, occupancy, and revenue
• Data sourced from Rabbu proprietary analytics and Zillow Home Value Index for consistency

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Apr, 27 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Data reflects trailing 12-month averages and current snapshots as of April 2026; market conditions can shift. Local regulations and tax requirements may change; always verify with municipal authorities before investing.