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 $3,661 per month in Seattle, WA vs $1,813 in Dubuque, IA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,544 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,555 in Dubuque, IA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,427 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,297 in Dubuque, IA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 102% more than Dubuque, IA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Dubuque, IA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 173%, Dubuque, IA by 35%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.32 $25.32

$15.69 $15.69

61.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$121 $121

$50.5 $50.5

140.22%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.11 $14.11

$10.09 $10.09

39.84%

Cappuccino

$5.82 $5.82

$4.60 $4.60

26.52%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$1.97 $1.97

51.27%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$1.03 $1.03

133.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.73 $7.73

$2.92 $2.92

164.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.87 $7.87

$4.60 $4.60

71.09%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.77 $0.77

74.03%

White Bread (500g)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.34 $2.34

109.83%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.11 $3.11

65.27%

Eggs

$6.57 $6.57

$2.79 $2.79

135.48%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.64 $24.64

$9.77 $9.77

152.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.88 $15.88

$9.99 $9.99

58.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.14 $20.14

$14.10 $14.10

42.84%

Apples (1kg)

$6.27 $6.27

$3.67 $3.67

70.84%

Banana (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$1.16 $1.16

146.55%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$3.56 $3.56

48.60%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$3.34 $3.34

91.32%

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$1.81 $1.81

77.35%

Onion (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.09 $2.09

83.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.87 $1.87

46.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$1.97 $1.97

30.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.64 $11.64

$8.24 $8.24

41.26%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.77 $15.77

$13.31 $13.31

18.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.81 $1.81

59.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.82 $2.82

55.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.32 $1.32

109.09%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.8 $98.8

$44.21 $44.21

123.43%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.88 $2.88

-7.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.64 $1.64

3.66%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.74 $29.74

$20.64 $20.64

44.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.81 $0.81

40.74%

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

$32.9K $32.9K

$29.9K $29.9K

10.02%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$22.5K $22.5K

15.23%

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

$268 $268

$183 $183

46.86%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$48.28 $48.28

26.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$63.8 $63.8

19.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.1 $78.1

$38.22 $38.22

104.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.15 $40.15

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$8.58 $8.58

84.38%

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

$2,252 $2,252

$787 $787

186.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K $29.7K

$23.8K $23.8K

24.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.8 $70.8

$42.57 $42.57

66.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.1 $53.1

$35.34 $35.34

50.37%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$79.5 $79.5

47.51%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$91.3 $91.3

51.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,310 $2,310

$963 $963

139.86%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,849 $1,849

$750 $750

146.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,739 $4,739

$1,408 $1,408

236.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,556 $3,556

$966 $966

268.07%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,775 $7,775

$1,749 $1,749

344.64%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,351 $5,351

$1,740 $1,740

207.58%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,575 $6,575

$4,664 $4,664

40.98%

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: April 21, 2026

Last update for Dubuque, IA: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,310 in Seattle, WA versus $963 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 41% 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 $121 in Seattle, WA versus $50 in Dubuque, IA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $539 vs $315 – 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 102% 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 $5,491 per month in Seattle, WA and $2,720 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 123% less in Dubuque, IA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $2,252 per month in Seattle, WA and $787 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 $1,813, than in Seattle, WA at $3,661. 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 $1,813 versus $3,661 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.