Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Dubuque, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.3% of gross income.

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

Dubuque median rent
$1,110/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Iowa)
$52,716/yr
Rent as % of income
25.3%
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 $1,110 leaves roughly $208/mo of headroom under that threshold. A hvac technician works roughly 43.8 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 Falls, IA
$1,108/mo (25.2% of income)
Des Moines, IA
$1,107/mo (25.2% of income)
Des Moines, IA
$1,106/mo (25.2% 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 $1,110 a month. A typical hvac technician in Iowa earns about $52,716 a year, which makes that rent 25.3% 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 $1,110/mo, which leaves a $208/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 43.8 hours a month to cover Dubuque's median rent of $1,110.

Where is rent cheaper than Dubuque for a hvac technician?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Falls ($1,108/mo), Des Moines ($1,107/mo), Des Moines ($1,106/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.