City Comparison
Dubuque vs Mason City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dubuque scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dubuque
Mason City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mason City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Dubuque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dubuque's average rent is
12% higher than Mason City's.
| Metric | Dubuque | Mason City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $850 | +12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $160 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,670 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dubuque offers 9% 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 Mason City.
| Metric | Dubuque | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $53,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,169 idx | 64,634 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Mason City sees 10 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dubuque | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 48.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 11.30°F |
| Rainfall | 32.70 in | 40.10 in |
| Snowfall | 21.70 in | 31.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | 252 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mason City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Dubuque.
Dubuque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Dubuque | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dubuque is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Mason City.
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 | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,384 | 27,338 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Mason City
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Home to world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center provides top-tier regional healthcare access directly within the city.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion enhance daily convenience.
Strong local cultural institutions like the MacNider Art Museum and active community arts programming.
Drawbacks
Winters feature low temperatures averaging 11.3°F with notable snowfall, requiring cold-weather preparedness.
Public transportation options are limited, creating a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Slower population growth compared to booming metropolitan centers in the US.
Limited high-paying tech or corporate headquarters sectors compared to larger state capitals.
Distance from major major metropolitan hubs like Minneapolis or Des Moines for specialized entertainment.
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
Mason City
#176Iowa, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
Business
65
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