Dubuque, IA vs Mason City, IA

Mason City is moderately more affordable than Dubuque, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Dubuque scores 76 compared to 69 for Mason City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Dubuque can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dubuque is $943/month compared to $874/month in Mason City — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $130,000 median vs $193,100.

Median household income in Dubuque is $64,985 compared to $62,369 in Mason City (+4.2%). Dubuque does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Dubuque spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, more than the 16.8% in Mason City.