Cost of Living: Dubuque, IA vs Iowa City, IA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,184/mo in Dubuque, IA versus $4,184/mo in Iowa City, IA. In the model, rent is about 13.75% of gross in Dubuque, IA versus 15.94% in Iowa City, IA, so Dubuque, IA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Dubuque, IA
$4,184/mo
Income level: near
Take-home in Iowa City, IA
$4,184/mo
Income level: above
Rent share (1BR) in Dubuque, IA
13.75%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Iowa City, IA
15.94%
COLI tier: mid-range

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

At a glance

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

Cost of Living Index

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

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

Median Rent

Dubuque, IA: $896/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Iowa City, IA: $1,040/mo

Median rent in Iowa City, IA is $144/mo higher than in Dubuque, IA.

Median Home Price

Dubuque, IA: $193,100 · Iowa City, IA: $273,600

Median home price in Iowa City, IA is $80,500 higher than in Dubuque, IA.

Median Household Income

Dubuque, IA: $64,985 · Iowa City, IA: $57,533

Dubuque, IA has a higher median household income than Iowa City, IA by $7,452.

Dubuque, IA overview · Iowa City, IA overview · Popular comparisons