Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$65,845$5,487 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Dubuque, IA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Dubuque, IA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Dubuque, IA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $774 | $9,288 | $30,960 | 14.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $841 | $10,092 | $33,640 | 15.3% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,077 | $12,924 | $43,080 | 19.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,450 | $17,400 | $58,000 | 26.4% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,807 | $21,684 | $72,280 | 32.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Dubuque, IA
Based on the local median household income of $65,845/year ($5,487/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Iowa state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Iowa with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Dubuque, IA
What is the median household income in Dubuque, IA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Dubuque, IA is $65,845 per year (approximately $5,487 per month).
What is the average rent in Dubuque, IA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Dubuque, IA are $774 for a studio, $841 for 1 bedroom, $1,077 for 2 bedrooms, $1,450 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,807 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Dubuque, IA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Dubuque, IA is 87.3 (12.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Dubuque, IA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,077/month) in Dubuque, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $43,080 per year ($3,590 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Dubuque, IA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $65,845/year ($5,487/month) in Dubuque, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,744/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,646/month to discretionary spending, and $1,097/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Dubuque, IA?
Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $143 per month.