Dubuque, Iowa
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 43% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 65% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 20% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 73% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 45% of US places
- top 2% for commute time
- top 11% for natural disaster risk
- bottom 4% for violent crime
Dubuque is a mid-size city in Iowa with about 59,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include commute time, natural disaster risk, and cost of living. It rates lower on air quality and violent crime.
Official websitecityofdubuque.org (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freezing
v.cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
cold
v.cold
77%51%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.8 in1.6 in
humid 93%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$64k52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$43kbetter than 81% of US places
Home Value$178k55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$915better than 50% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 52% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.44%better than 28% of US places
Income Tax6.00%better than 29% of US places
Sales Tax6.94%better than 68% of US places
Estimated total tax burden12.31%better than 27% of US places
Unemployment5.0%better than 39% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)19°F10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F23rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation38.9 in41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall36.1 inbetter than 26% of US places
Sunny Days235 daysbetter than 54% of US places
Summer Humidity63°Fbetter than 53% of US places
Comfortable Days94 daysbetter than 78% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk30.7better than 89% of US places
Air Quality52 AQIbetter than 14% of US places
School Quality58.7better than 51% of US places
Violent Crime2464/100kbetter than 4% of US places
Property Crime1807/100kbetter than 23% of US places
Community
Population59,31598th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age37.935th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2353rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9543rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)86.4%53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)4.0%74th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)2.8%45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.5%76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.3%73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time15 minbetter than 98% of US places
Walkability7.8/20better than 71% of US places
Airport Distance147 mibetter than 18% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access87.5%better than 55% of US places
Amenities Nearby31.02better than 29% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 64% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Dubuque an affordable place to live?
- Dubuque is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $43k, better than 81% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Dubuque?
- The median home value in Dubuque is $178k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Dubuque?
- Median household income in Dubuque is $64k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Dubuque?
- Median gross rent in Dubuque is $915 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Dubuque safe?
- Dubuque is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 2464/100k (better than 4%). Property crime is 1807/100k.
- What is the weather like in Dubuque?
- Dubuque averages 72°F in July and 19°F in January, with 38.9 in of annual precipitation and about 235 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Dubuque?
- Public-school quality in Dubuque is about average, scoring better than 51% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Dubuque?
- The average one-way commute in Dubuque is 15 min.
Places near Dubuque
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)