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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,598 per month in Seattle, WA vs $1,824 in Dubuque, IA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,538 in Dubuque, IA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,479 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,251 in Dubuque, IA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 97% more than Dubuque, IA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Dubuque, IA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, Dubuque, IA by 36%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.80 $24.80

$15.57 $15.57

59.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$49.67 $49.67

136.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.77 $13.77

$9.90 $9.90

39.09%

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$4.74 $4.74

20.46%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.05 $3.05

$2.05 $2.05

48.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$1.03 $1.03

142.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$3.07 $3.07

155.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$4.43 $4.43

77.88%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$0.84 $0.84

60.71%

White Bread (500g)

$5.06 $5.06

$2.39 $2.39

111.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.14 $3.14

71.66%

Eggs

$6.85 $6.85

$2.76 $2.76

148.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.07 $25.07

$9.95 $9.95

151.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.85 $15.85

$10.23 $10.23

54.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.59 $20.59

$14.08 $14.08

46.24%

Apples (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$3.55 $3.55

72.96%

Banana (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.17 $1.17

141.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.51 $5.51

$3.65 $3.65

50.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$3.37 $3.37

100.00%

Potato (1kg)

$3.15 $3.15

$1.74 $1.74

81.03%

Onion (1kg)

$3.82 $3.82

$2.21 $2.21

72.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.96 $1.96

37.24%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.04 $2.04

29.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.65 $11.65

$8.31 $8.31

40.19%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.69 $15.69

$13.27 $13.27

18.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.91 $1.91

53.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.24 $4.24

$2.72 $2.72

55.88%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.37 $1.37

105.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

$44.25 $44.25

126.35%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.88 $2.88

-9.72%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.59 $1.59

8.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.22 $30.22

$21.22 $21.22

42.41%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.85 $0.85

40.00%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$32.7K $32.7K

$29.7K $29.7K

10.05%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.1K $26.1K

$22.3K $22.3K

16.89%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$263 $263

$184 $184

42.85%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.9 $60.9

$48.46 $48.46

25.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.9 $75.9

$62.5 $62.5

21.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.6 $79.6

$37.93 $37.93

109.81%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.89 $39.89

Cinema Ticket

$16.27 $16.27

$8.59 $8.59

89.41%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,281 $2,281

$796 $796

186.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.3K $29.3K

$23.8K $23.8K

23.18%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.6 $68.6

$42.57 $42.57

61.17%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$34.54 $34.54

50.43%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$78.7 $78.7

47.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$90.4 $90.4

58.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 $2,336

$957 $957

144.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,863 $1,863

$742 $742

151.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,628 $4,628

$1,388 $1,388

233.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,477 $3,477

$987 $987

252.10%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,766 $7,766

$1,691 $1,691

359.17%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,232 $5,232

$1,713 $1,713

205.41%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,617 $6,617

$3,717 $3,717

78.00%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

4.88

31.56%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Dubuque, IA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $957 in Dubuque, IA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 78% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $118 in Seattle, WA versus $50.0 in Dubuque, IA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $319 – making Dubuque, IA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Seattle, WA vs Dubuque, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle, WA costs about 97% more than Dubuque, IA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,397 per month in Seattle, WA and $2,736 in Dubuque, IA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Dubuque, IA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Public transport costs about 126% less in Dubuque, IA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $2,281 per month in Seattle, WA and $796 in Dubuque, IA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Dubuque, IA, where all-in costs run around $1,824, than in Seattle, WA at $3,598. In Dubuque, IA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Dubuque, IA costs $1,824 versus $3,598 in Seattle, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Dubuque, IA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.