3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Dubuque, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Dubuque, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +18% higher than the citywide median of $1,094 and +39% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,130 |
| 2 | Clinton | $1,150 |
| 3 | Fort Dodge | $1,160 |
| 4 | Marshalltown | $1,250 |
| 5 | Waterloo | $1,267 |
| 6 | Newton | $1,270 |
| 7 | Dubuque (this page) | $1,290 |
| 8 | Sioux City | $1,300 |
| 9 | Boone | $1,320 |
| 10 | Marion | $1,320 |
| 11 | Davenport | $1,322 |
| 12 | Pella | $1,330 |
| 13 | Burlington | $1,350 |
| 14 | Adel | $1,360 |
| 15 | Indianola | $1,420 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,940 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,890 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 4 | North Liberty | $1,790 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,785 |
| 6 | West Des Moines | $1,775 |
| 7 | Altoona | $1,730 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,700 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,690 |
| 10 | Iowa City | $1,623 |
| 11 | Grimes | $1,580 |
| 12 | Bettendorf | $1,580 |
| 13 | Ames | $1,580 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $1,553 |
| 15 | Coralville | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Dubuque.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Dubuque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton, IA | 54.5 mi | $1,150 | $-140 (-11%) |
| Marion, IA | 68.2 mi | $1,320 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Davenport, IA | 68.5 mi | $1,322 | +$32 (+2%) |
| Bettendorf, IA | 68.8 mi | $1,580 | +$290 (+22%) |
| Rock Island, IL | 74.2 mi | $1,290 | — |
| Moline, IL | 74.7 mi | $1,320 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 77.8 mi | $1,458 | +$168 (+13%) |
| Verona, WI | 82.8 mi | $2,180 | +$890 (+69%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 84.1 mi | $1,790 | +$500 (+39%) |
| Iowa City, IA | 84.2 mi | $1,623 | +$333 (+26%) |
| Coralville, IA | 85.2 mi | $1,500 | +$210 (+16%) |
| Middleton, WI | 88.7 mi | $1,950 | +$660 (+51%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Dubuque — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Dubuque?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Dubuque, Iowa is $1,290 per month. This is +18% higher than the citywide median of $1,094.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Dubuque?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $51,600 ($4,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Dubuque expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Dubuque's 3-bedroom median of $1,290 is +39% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 5th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Dubuque rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, Dubuque ranks #7 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Dubuque?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Clinton ($1,150).