City Comparison
Dubuque vs Ottumwa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dubuque scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dubuque
Ottumwa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ottumwa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Dubuque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dubuque's average rent is
12% higher than Ottumwa's.
| Metric | Dubuque | Ottumwa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $850 | +12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,690 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dubuque offers 21% 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 Ottumwa.
| Metric | Dubuque | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,169 idx | 58,537 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Ottumwa comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dubuque sees 2.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dubuque | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 53.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 84.00°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 32.70 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 21.70 in | 19.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | 274 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ottumwa 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 | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| 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 2.3x the population of Ottumwa.
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 | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,384 | 25,514 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
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
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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