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Dubuque, IA

Cost of living in Dubuque County, IA

Part of the Dubuque Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,825/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 98,948 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $763 27%
Federal tax $526 19%
Healthcare $480 17%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $315 11%
Energy $195 7%
State tax $176 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Dubuque County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$722
per month
1 bedroom
$763
per month
2 bedroom
$996
per month
3 bedroom
$1,315
per month
4 bedroom
$1,673
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Dubuque County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$75,919
per year
Individual earnings
$42,225
per year
Per capita
$40,624
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Dubuque County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$226,100
Annual property tax
$2,848

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Dubuque County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$134
per month · 15.8¢/kWh
Natural gas
$61
per month
Annual total
$2,340
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Dubuque County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Dubuque County

State and local tax rates for Iowa.

State income tax
5.7%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.9%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Dubuque County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
17.1 min
Drive alone
78.4%
Public transit
1.0%
Work from home
11.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Dubuque County

What it costs to live in Dubuque County each month.

Single person
$2,825
per month
  • Rent $763
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $526
  • State tax $176
Couple
$4,345
per month
  • Rent $996
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $913
  • State tax $336
Family
$6,788
per month
  • Rent $1,315
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $913
  • State tax $336

Frequently asked questions about Dubuque County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Dubuque County?

In Dubuque County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $763 per month, a two-bedroom averages $996 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,315 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Dubuque County?

In Dubuque County, IA, the average household income is $75,919 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,225 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Dubuque County?

The estimated cost of living in Dubuque County, IA is approximately $2,825 per month for a single person, $4,345 for a couple, $6,788 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Dubuque County?

The combined sales tax rate in Dubuque County, IA is 6.94%, which includes the Iowa state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.94%.

Is Dubuque County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Dubuque County, IA would need approximately $2,825 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $75,919 per year ($6,327 per month). Dubuque County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Dubuque County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Dubuque County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Dubuque County?

The average home value in Dubuque County, IA is $226,100, with average annual property taxes of $2,848, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Dubuque County compare to other areas?

You can compare Dubuque County, IA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Dubuque County is in the Dubuque, IA metro area.

Other counties in Iowa

Browse the full list of counties in Iowa, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Iowa

Compare Dubuque County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources