Cost of Living: Ames, IA vs Dubuque, IA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,184/mo in Ames, IA versus $4,184/mo in Dubuque, IA. In the model, rent is about 15.15% of gross in Ames, IA versus 13.75% in Dubuque, IA, so Dubuque, IA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Ames, IA
$4,184/mo
Income level: above
Take-home in Dubuque, IA
$4,184/mo
Income level: near
Rent share (1BR) in Ames, IA
15.15%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Dubuque, IA
13.75%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Ames, IA and Dubuque, IA.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Dubuque, IA
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Dubuque, IA
  • Lower home prices: Dubuque, IA
  • Higher median household income: Dubuque, IA

Cost of Living Index

Ames, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Dubuque, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Ames, IA: $988/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Dubuque, IA: $896/mo

Median rent in Ames, IA is $92/mo higher than in Dubuque, IA.

Median Home Price

Ames, IA: $263,800 · Dubuque, IA: $193,100

Median home price in Ames, IA is $70,700 higher than in Dubuque, IA.

Median Household Income

Ames, IA: $60,102 · Dubuque, IA: $64,985

Dubuque, IA has a higher median household income than Ames, IA by $4,883.

Ames, IA overview · Dubuque, IA overview · Popular comparisons