Dubuque, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

Ottumwa is moderately more affordable than Dubuque, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Dubuque scores 76 compared to 68 for Ottumwa, 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 $956/month in Ottumwa — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dubuque has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $193,100).

Median household income in Dubuque is $64,985 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (+14%). 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 20.1% in Ottumwa.