1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Dubuque, IA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dubuque, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $1,110 and +46% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Dubuque
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Dubuque
Compare Dubuque's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 2 | Newton | $710 |
| 3 | Marion | $720 |
| 4 | Boone | $730 |
| 5 | Marshalltown | $730 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $740 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $740 |
| 8 | Dubuque (this page) | $750 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | $808 |
| 10 | Davenport | $822 |
| 11 | Burlington | $830 |
| 12 | Cedar Falls | $850 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $850 |
| 14 | Pella | $870 |
| 15 | Coralville | $890 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,210 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,180 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,160 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,110 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,110 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,080 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,070 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,060 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,050 |
| 10 | Ames | $1,015 |
| 11 | Grimes | $990 |
| 12 | Tiffin | $980 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $980 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $970 |
| 15 | Iowa City | $967 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Dubuque.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Dubuque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion, IA | 68.2 mi | $720 | $-30 (-4%) |
| Davenport, IA | 68.5 mi | $822 | +$72 (+10%) |
| Bettendorf, IA | 68.8 mi | $980 | +$230 (+31%) |
| Rock Island, IL | 74.2 mi | $800 | +$50 (+7%) |
| Moline, IL | 74.7 mi | $820 | +$70 (+9%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 77.8 mi | $808 | +$58 (+8%) |
| Verona, WI | 82.8 mi | $1,450 | +$700 (+93%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 84.1 mi | $1,070 | +$320 (+43%) |
| Iowa City, IA | 84.2 mi | $967 | +$217 (+29%) |
| Coralville, IA | 85.2 mi | $890 | +$140 (+19%) |
| Middleton, WI | 88.7 mi | $1,290 | +$540 (+72%) |
| Tiffin, IA | 89.1 mi | $980 | +$230 (+31%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Dubuque — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Dubuque?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Dubuque, Iowa is $750 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $1,110.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Dubuque?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $30,000 ($2,500/month gross), which works out to roughly $14.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Dubuque expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Dubuque's 1-bedroom median of $750 is +46% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 3th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Dubuque rank for 1-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 1-bedroom data, Dubuque ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Dubuque?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Marion ($720).