Cost of Living Comparison Between Dubuque, IA and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Dubuque, IA and Seattle, WA

🙂 Solo nomad: Dubuque, IA is 40.9% cheaper than Seattle, WA without rent, and 49.2% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Dubuque, IA is 49% cheaper than Seattle, WA without rent, and 57.7% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.21 $15.21
$25.11 $25.11
-39.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.1 $50.1
$118 $118
-57.68%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.98 $9.98
$13.84 $13.84
-27.89%
Cappuccino
$4.66 $4.66
$5.8 $5.8
-19.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.95 $2.95
-30.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96 $0.96
$2.51 $2.51
-61.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.03 $3.03
$7.81 $7.81
-61.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.42 $4.42
$7.84 $7.84
-43.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.82 $0.82
$1.34 $1.34
-38.81%
White Bread (500g)
$2.26 $2.26
$4.98 $4.98
-54.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$5.35 $5.35
-41.50%
Eggs
$2.88 $2.88
$6.91 $6.91
-58.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.7 $9.7
$24.8 $24.8
-60.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.09 $10.09
$15.74 $15.74
-35.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.08 $14.08
$20.84 $20.84
-32.44%
Apples (1kg)
$3.52 $3.52
$6.05 $6.05
-41.82%
Banana (1kg)
$1.13 $1.13
$2.75 $2.75
-58.91%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$5.47 $5.47
-31.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.48 $3.48
$6.45 $6.45
-46.05%
Potato (1kg)
$1.76 $1.76
$3.11 $3.11
-43.41%
Onion (1kg)
$2.12 $2.12
$3.69 $3.69
-42.55%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.78 $2.78
-29.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$2.52 $2.52
-18.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.61 $8.61
$11.64 $11.64
-26.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.38 $13.38
$17.15 $17.15
-21.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 $1.88
$2.94 $2.94
-36.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$4.19 $4.19
-35.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.38 $1.38
$2.8 $2.8
-50.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$45.73 $45.73
$101 $101
-54.66%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.68 $2.68
5.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 $1.56
$1.65 $1.65
-5.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.14 $21.14
$30.13 $30.13
-29.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.16 $1.16
-26.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K $30.3K
$33.3K $33.3K
-9.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K $22.5K
$26.3K $26.3K
-14.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$182 $182
$271 $271
-32.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.95 $48.95
$61.8 $61.8
-20.82%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.7 $62.7
$75.2 $75.2
-16.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.55 $37.55
$78.4 $78.4
-52.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$41.04 $41.04
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.59 $8.59
$15.89 $15.89
-45.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$807 $807
$2,248 $2,248
-64.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24K $24K
$29K $29K
-17.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.85 $43.85
$69.5 $69.5
-36.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.59 $34.59
$52.5 $52.5
-34.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.2 $80.2
$120 $120
-32.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.1 $90.1
$142 $142
-36.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$972 $972
$2,376 $2,376
-59.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$741 $741
$1,829 $1,829
-59.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,418 $1,418
$4,702 $4,702
-69.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$985 $985
$3,474 $3,474
-71.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,709 $1,709
$6,928 $6,928
-75.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,683 $1,683
$5,224 $5,224
-67.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dubuque, IA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,046 $5,046
$6,473 $6,473
-22.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.88
6.42
-23.99%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Dubuque, IA: October 28, 2025

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 29, 2025

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