City Comparison
Dubuque vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dubuque scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dubuque
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dubuque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dubuque's average rent is
18% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Dubuque | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,162 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,082 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dubuque is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Dubuque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,169 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dubuque runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dubuque comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dubuque sees 21.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dubuque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Dubuque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dubuque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dubuque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Dubuque.
From a growth perspective, Dubuque is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dubuque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dubuque | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,384 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dubuque
Advantages
Median home prices in Dubuque remain significantly more affordable than the national average per the National Association of Realtors.
Exceptional outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the 1,439-acre Mines of Spain State Recreation Area.
Robust regional healthcare sector anchored by MercyOne Dubuque and UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital.
Consistently lower violent and property crime rates compared to national benchmarks per FBI crime data.
Vibrant historic downtown and Port of Dubuque district offering diverse dining, arts, and cultural attractions.
Drawbacks
Cold and snowy winter conditions can create challenging commuting and outdoor circumstances.
Limited commercial flight options directly out of Dubuque Regional Airport require travel to larger hubs like Chicago or Cedar Rapids.
Public transit options outside of core fixed bus routes are somewhat limited for suburban commuters.
Wages in certain sectors may lag behind fast-growing coastal metropolitan markets.
Limited racial and ethnic diversity compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dubuque
#112Iowa, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
76
Business
70
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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