City Comparison
Dubuque vs West Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Des Moines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dubuque
West Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dubuque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in West Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dubuque's average rent is
34% lower than West Des Moines's.
| Metric | Dubuque | West Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $410 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,390 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Des Moines offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West 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 $52,000 in West Des Moines.
| Metric | Dubuque | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,169 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, West Des Moines comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dubuque sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dubuque | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 83.20°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 16.20°F |
| Rainfall | 32.70 in | 36.20 in |
| Snowfall | 21.70 in | 20.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | 274 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Dubuque | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Dubuque.
From a growth perspective, West Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dubuque | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,384 | 69,871 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.10% |
| 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.
West Des Moines
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Iowa with crime rates well below the national average
Exceptional public school districts that routinely score near the top statewide for academic performance
Thriving economic hub with major employers like Wells Fargo and a low local unemployment rate
Abundant green spaces, including over 35 public parks and extensive multi-use trail networks
Vibrant retail and dining scene anchored by Jordan Creek Town Center and Historic Valley Junction
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes have risen steadily due to high demand and rapid suburban expansion
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited public transit coverage outside main corridors
Winters can be harsh and prolonged with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures
Rental inventory for mid-priced apartments can be tight during peak moving seasons
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan core cities
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
West Des Moines
#28Iowa, USA
72.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
76
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