Dubuque, IA vs Muscatine, IA

Dubuque, IA and Muscatine, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Dubuque scores 76 while Muscatine scores 74 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Dubuque is $943/month compared to $979/month in Muscatine — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dubuque has cheaper rent, Muscatine actually has lower median home values ($146,900 vs $193,100).

Median household income in Dubuque is $64,985 compared to $59,332 in Muscatine (+9.5%). While Dubuque is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dubuque spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Muscatine.