Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Dubuque, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.3% of gross income.
Dubuque rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Dubuque, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Dubuque
View full rent data for Dubuque, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Dubuque, IA?
Median rent in Dubuque is $1,094 a month. A typical plumber in Iowa earns about $61,732 a year, which makes that rent 21.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Dubuque?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Iowa (~$61,732/yr) supports up to $1,543 a month in rent. Dubuque's current median rent is $1,094/mo, which leaves a $449/mo buffer.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Dubuque?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Iowa works roughly 36.9 hours a month to cover Dubuque's median rent of $1,094.
Where is rent cheaper than Dubuque for a plumber?
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 plumber salary.