City Comparison
Dubuque vs Fort Dodge
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dubuque scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dubuque
Fort Dodge
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Dodge is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Dubuque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dubuque's average rent is
12% higher than Fort Dodge's.
| Metric | Dubuque | Fort Dodge | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $850 | +12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,700 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dubuque offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dubuque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dubuque is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Fort Dodge.
| Metric | Dubuque | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,169 idx | 63,415 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Dodge sees 16.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dubuque | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 50.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 12.80°F |
| Rainfall | 32.70 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 21.70 in | 37.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
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 | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dubuque is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Fort Dodge.
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 | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,384 | 24,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Fort Dodge
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average per Census Bureau data.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time on personal pursuits.
Strong regional healthcare presence anchored by UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
Active local arts scene highlighted by the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.
Drawbacks
Cold winter climates with significant snowfall can pose challenges for daily travel and outdoor activities.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Slower population growth compared to larger metropolitan areas in Iowa like Des Moines.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions within the immediate city limits.
Nightlife and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger urban centers.
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
Fort Dodge
#261Iowa, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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