salaryRent is lower than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 14.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,080 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Iowa. It is number 37 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Dubuque?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Dubuque
| Size | Dubuque | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $686 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $834 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,107 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,434 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,441 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Dubuque overall?
Everyday prices in the Dubuque metro area are 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Dubuque
Life in Dubuque
What jobs pay in Dubuque
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $145,390 | 8.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,620 | 9.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,050 | 9.8% |
| Lawyer | $109,270 | 11.3% |
| Software Developer | $105,360 | 11.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,210 | 12.4% |
| Operations Manager | $92,530 | 13.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $85,310 | 14.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,410 | 15.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $76,790 | 16.0% |
| Accountant | $74,140 | 16.6% |
| Police Officer | $72,170 | 17.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,750 | 19.3% |
| Electrician | $62,110 | 19.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,660 | 20.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,410 | 20.1% |
| Plumber | $61,380 | 20.1% |
| Carpenter | $60,090 | 20.5% |
| Truck Driver | $58,470 | 21.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,840 | 21.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,670 | 26.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,960 | 26.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,730 | 27.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,580 | 29.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,610 | 34.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,960 | 39.8% |
| Cashier | $30,500 | 40.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $20,060 | 61.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dubuque?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $394 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $204,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $20,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Dubuque, IA?
Renting in Dubuque costs a median of about $1,027 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Dubuque?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,080 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Dubuque cheap or expensive?
Dubuque is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.4% of the typical household income of $71,014. It ranks 37th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Dubuque?
The median homeowner in Dubuque pays $2,682 a year in property taxes, about 1.31% of the median home value.
Is Dubuque more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Dubuque?
The median home value in Dubuque is $204,800, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
59,174 people live in Dubuque. Numbers are typical (middle) values.