Cedar Falls, IA vs Dubuque, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Dubuque is 15.3% cheaper than Cedar Falls. With a cost index of 76 vs 87, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Dubuque to Cedar Falls should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cedar Falls is $1,177/month compared to $943/month in Dubuque — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dubuque is more affordable at $193,100 median vs $252,500.

Median household income in Cedar Falls is $74,165 compared to $64,985 in Dubuque (+14.1%). The higher salaries in Cedar Falls partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Cedar Falls spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Dubuque.