Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Dubuque, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.9% of gross income.

Dubuque rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Dubuque median rent
$1,094/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Iowa)
$52,716/yr
Rent as % of income
24.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,393, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,318/mo in rent. Dubuque's median rent of $1,094 leaves roughly $224/mo of headroom under that threshold. A hvac technician works roughly 43.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a hvac technician salary

HVAC technician pay sits near the US median household income and rises sharply with certification and overtime. At the national-average HVAC salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,433 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Dubuque, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:

Cedar Rapids, IA
$1,092/mo (24.9% of income)
Sioux City, IA
$1,089/mo (24.8% of income)
Cedar Rapids, IA
$1,088/mo (24.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Dubuque

View full rent data for Dubuque, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a hvac technician afford rent in Dubuque, IA?

Median rent in Dubuque is $1,094 a month. A typical hvac technician in Iowa earns about $52,716 a year, which makes that rent 24.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a hvac technician afford in Dubuque?

Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Iowa (~$52,716/yr) supports up to $1,318 a month in rent. Dubuque's current median rent is $1,094/mo, which leaves a $224/mo buffer.

How many hours does a hvac technician work to cover rent in Dubuque?

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a hvac technician in Iowa works roughly 43.2 hours a month to cover Dubuque's median rent of $1,094.

Where is rent cheaper than Dubuque for a hvac technician?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Rapids ($1,092/mo), Sioux City ($1,089/mo), Cedar Rapids ($1,088/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Iowa state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Dubuque, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.