Dubuque, IA vs North Liberty, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Dubuque is 19.5% cheaper than North Liberty. With a cost index of 76 vs 94, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Dubuque to North Liberty should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Dubuque is $943/month compared to $1,226/month in North Liberty — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dubuque is more affordable at $193,100 median vs $300,000.

Median household income in Dubuque is $64,985 compared to $103,933 in North Liberty (-37.5%). While North Liberty 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, more than the 14.2% in North Liberty.