2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Council Bluffs, IA vs Van Buren, AR

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Highlights
Are people in Van Buren older or younger than people in Council Bluffs?
- The Median Age in Van Buren is 3.5 years younger than in Council Bluffs.

Are housing costs cheaper in Van Buren or Council Bluffs?
- Van Buren housing costs are 8.9% less expensive than Council Bluffs housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Van Buren or Council Bluffs?
- The average commute for residents of Van Buren is 1.0 minutes longer than it is for residents of Council Bluffs.

Things to do in Council Bluffs?
Council Bluffs, Iowa is a vibrant city located in Pottawattamie County. This bustling community offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the Union Pacific Railroad Museum or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available in Hitchcock Nature Center, Lake Manawa State Park and Bayliss Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Council Bluffs their home.

Things to do in Van Buren?
Van Buren is a town in Crawford County, Arkansas with a population of about 25,000 people. Located just east of Fort Smith, this historic town was once the second largest in the state and provided trade and transportation services to travelers along the Arkansas River. Van Buren offers numerous attractions such as Park Hill Park, Lake Fort Smith State Park and the Van Buren Historic District. It also boasts top-notch eateries like Emma Jean’s BBQ, shopping options at downtown stores and galleries, entertainment venues like King Opera House Theatre and more. From outdoor activities to historical tours and cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone in Van Buren.

 Council Bluffs, IAVan Buren, ARUnited States
 Population  Unlock23,213329,725,481
 Median Income$57,683  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock35.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$190,300  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time18.6  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Council Bluffs    4 Reviews

It's an okay city. Nothing special really. All the fun things to do and good restaurants are across the river in Omaha. I will say CB has some pretty good recreational  More

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Over 9 years ago

Quietly over the years this community has taken untold amounts of riverfront casino tax dollars and converted them into hundreds and hundreds of community improvement  More

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Over 15 years ago

here in council bluffs iowa, we have low crime rate. There have been an increase in shopping areas in the last 2 years and lots of new resturants and three casinos. It  More

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Reviews for Van Buren    2 Reviews

We moved to Arkansas (and to Van Buren) 4 years ago from the metro Houston, Texas area. We were sick of the traffic and crime that comes with living in a large city.   More

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Over 18 years ago

I don't like Arkansas. It's pretty, but the pay sucks. Taxes are very high, and so are  More

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