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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Council Bluffs, IA vs Iowa City, IA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Council Bluffs spends 7.4% more per capita than Iowa City ($1,213/person difference). Iowa City, IA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 62/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Council Bluffs, IA
Pop. 62,670
D
43/100
Budget Balance13
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency66
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Iowa City, IA
Pop. 74,878
C
62/100
Budget Balance2
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency73
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Council Bluffs
Iowa City
Total Spending
$1.1B
$1.2B
Spending / Capita
$17,662
$16,449
Total Revenue
$883.7M
$751.1M
Revenue / Capita
$14,100
$10,031
Total Debt
$62.3M
$13.7M
Debt / Capita
$994
$183
Population
62,670
74,878
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Council Bluffs$850
Iowa City$461
Highways & Roads
Council Bluffs$373
Iowa City$112
Parks & Recreation
Council Bluffs$1,587
Iowa City$1,165
Education
Council Bluffs$0
Iowa City$57
Health
Council Bluffs$562
Iowa City$965

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Council BluffsIowa City
Property Tax
$0
$14
Sales Tax
$234
$833
Income Tax
$1,036
$1,549
Intergovernmental
$383
$1,216
Charges & Fees
$2,374
$1,499
Other
$3,427
$2,188

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Council BluffsIowa City
Fire Protection
$850
$461
Highways & Roads
$373
$112
Education
$0
$57
Public Welfare
$1,494
$1,285
Health
$562
$965
Hospitals
$138
$2,408
Parks & Recreation
$1,587
$1,165
Housing
$3,385
$1,963
Sewerage
$181
$270
Utilities
$3,119
$2,351
Interest on Debt
$278
$1,144
Other
$5,695
$4,268
D
Council Bluffs, IA
Fiscal Health Score: 43/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Iowa City, IA
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health

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