Cost of Living in Dubuque, IA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dubuque, IA

Knowing the cost of living in Dubuque allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Dubuque stands at 92, marking it 8% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Dubuque is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Dubuque?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 18 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Dubuque. The feedback revealed that 56% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 44% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Dubuque Affordable?

Is Dubuque an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Dubuque, the median home price is 19.9% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 15% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Dubuque come in at $54,938, which is 0.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dubuque?

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Dubuque, the utilities index registers 6.4% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Dubuque, healthcare costs are 8.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Dubuque displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.