Cost of Living in Dubuque, IA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $965 (excluding rent), and $1,861 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,058 (excluding rent), and $3,249 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.56 $15.56

$12.04 $12.04

$45.17 $45.17

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.4 $50.4

$40.29 $40.29

$80.6 $80.6

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.83 $9.83

$8.84 $8.84

$11.79 $11.79

Cappuccino

$4.82 $4.82

$4.07 $4.07

$6.11 $6.11

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

$1.96 $1.96

$3.92 $3.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 $1.03

$3.13 $3.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.43 $2.43

$6.81 $6.81

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.6 $4.6

$4.09 $4.09

$8.18 $8.18

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.69 $0.69

$1.01 $1.01

White Bread (500g)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.6 $1.6

$10.72 $10.72

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.22 $3.22

$1.55 $1.55

$9.02 $9.02

Eggs

$2.83 $2.83

$1.92 $1.92

$6.06 $6.06

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.68 $9.68

$7.54 $7.54

$15.06 $15.06

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.95 $9.95

$4.55 $4.55

$15.17 $15.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.43 $14.43

$13.34 $13.34

$17.75 $17.75

Apples (1kg)

$3.65 $3.65

$2.86 $2.86

$8.9 $8.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 $1.15

$0.89 $0.89

$4.45 $4.45

Oranges (1kg)

$3.63 $3.63

$2.18 $2.18

$6.54 $6.54

Tomato (1kg)

$3.51 $3.51

$1.55 $1.55

$6.49 $6.49

Potato (1kg)

$1.75 $1.75

$1.06 $1.06

$4.31 $4.31

Onion (1kg)

$2.11 $2.11

$0.65 $0.65

$6.49 $6.49

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.94 $1.94

$0.89 $0.89

$3.03 $3.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$0.51 $0.51

$3.09 $3.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.7 $8.7

$8.39 $8.39

$11.57 $11.57

Wine (Bottle)

$13.35 $13.35

$11.86 $11.86

$14.83 $14.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.9 $1.9

$1.78 $1.78

$2.94 $2.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.46 $1.46

$4.85 $4.85

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.28 $1.28

$2.04 $2.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.61 $44.61

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.72 $2.72

$4.38 $4.38

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$2.85 $2.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.66 $20.66

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.8 $0.8

$0.7 $0.7

$0.99 $0.99

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

$29.4K $29.4K

$22.7K $22.7K

$34.9K $34.9K

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

$22K $22K

$25.8K $25.8K

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

$182 $182

$149 $149

$594 $594

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

$47.51 $47.51

$29.62 $29.62

$197 $197

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.6 $64.6

$45.57 $45.57

$101 $101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.22 $37.22

$29.77 $29.77

$44.66 $44.66

Cinema Ticket

$8.71 $8.71

$8.02 $8.02

$17.55 $17.55

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

$806 $806

$2,317 $2,317

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.2K $24.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.2 $42.2

$11.78 $11.78

$98.1 $98.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.53 $35.53

$25.38 $25.38

$50.8 $50.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.8 $79.8

$44.86 $44.86

$150 $150

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.9 $88.9

$53.4 $53.4

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$966 $966

$800 $800

$1,200 $1,200

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$745 $745

$596 $596

$894 $894

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,396 $1,396

$1,196 $1,196

$1,795 $1,795

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$991 $991

$762 $762

$1,219 $1,219

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,694 $1,694

$1,683 $1,683

$1,705 $1,705

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,718 $1,718

$1,707 $1,707

$1,729 $1,729

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,563 $4,563

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.88

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Dubuque, IA - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall affordability in Dubuque tends to be friendlier than many larger metros, with a balanced mix of rental options, groceries, and services. Cost of Living in Dubuque, IA, United States reflects a smaller city lifestyle, with neighborhoods along the river offering charm at a manageable price and downtown pockets that are easy to navigate on foot. You may find value in older, well-located housing with reasonable rents, and a compact city center that reduces commuting costs. Community amenities, such as farmers markets and affordable eateries, balance purchase power for digital nomads and long-stay travelers. Tip: Explore a few blocks on weekends to gauge real value.

Plan your days around a practical mix of neighborhoods and options. For housing, explore riverfront and historic districts, looking for older buildings with good light and solid foundations, then verify heating reliability in winter. Food options range from farmers markets to affordable groceries and casual eateries; you can stretch your budget by cooking at home several nights a week. Transport is workable with a compact downtown and decent bus routes, plus bike-friendly streets for short hops. When evaluating the Dubuque, IA, United States living cost, track neighborhood differences in rent, utilities, and groceries to identify what fits your rhythm. Tip: Visit at different times of day to sense noise, safety, and convenience.

Quality of life here favors a practical budgeting framework that blends flexibility with local rhythms. Start with a simple monthly plan that tracks essential needs, discretionary spending, and occasional splurges, then adjust with the seasons, as heating costs and outdoor activity vary. Neighborhood fit matters: riverside districts offer walkable access and community events, while more affordable pockets may require a short drive. Save by leveraging local libraries, community centers, and group activities for low-cost experiences. If you shift your schedule to shoulder seasons for day trips or nearby nature, you can stretch downtime and savings. Tip: build a local network to swap tips on seasonal bargains and newcomers resources.