Cost of Living in Dubuque County, Iowa
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Dubuque County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Dubuque County ranks #2,285 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 27%)
Sourced county brief
Dubuque County median owner costs exceed state unweighted mean
The median selected monthly owner cost in Dubuque County is $1,153, which is above the Iowa unweighted county mean of $950. Median gross rent in the county was estimated at $959 per month, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $832. The median home value was recorded at $237,300, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $171,037. For renters, the median household income is $40,776. According to the official ACS B25071, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 27.9%. This percentage is 2.5 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 25.4%. These figures represent a snapshot from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Dubuque County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.9% of renter household income in Dubuque County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $959 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,153. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $38,360 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Iowa unweighted mean of county median rents is $832 per month. Dubuque County's $959 median is 15.2% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Dubuque County
Rent Burden
14.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,811
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.8%
of gross income
The median home in Dubuque County may be a stretch
Median home value is $237,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,894 vs. your max of $1,811.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Dubuque County, Iowa?
What is the median rent in Dubuque County?
Is Dubuque County affordable?
How does Dubuque County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Dubuque County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Dubuque County, Iowa? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Dubuque County
Whether you're buying in Dubuque County, Iowa, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.