Dollars & Cents

Cost of Living

The Greater Dubuque area boasts a low cost of living - lower than the national average for the composite index and in nearly every sub-category. You'll be hard pressed to find a better value whether considering a metropolitan area or another third-tier community.

Cost of Living Index

Index	Dubuque, IA	Chicago, IL	Madison, WI	Minneapolis, MN	Milwaukee, WI	National
Composite (100%)	95.9	116.9	109.8	111.0	101.9	100.0
Grocery (12.49%)	98.1	111.2	104.8	111.6	98.1	100.0
Housing (29.84%)	86.5	134.8	118.0	116.8	112.7	100.0
Utilities (9.94%)	105.2	117.3	95.0	104.7	98.6	100.0
Transportation (10.73%)	99.5	116.5	109.5	103.7	99.2	100.0
Health (4.07%)	96.5	108.5	115.2	105.4	108.1	100.0
Miscellaneous (32.93%)	99.5	104.4	108.6	110.4	94.8	100.0

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index provides a useful and reasonably accurate measure to compare cost of living differences among urban areas. Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures. Weights assigned to relative costs are based on government survey data on expenditure patterns for midmanagement households. All items are priced in each place at a specified time and according to standardized specifications.

The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan, equals 100, and each participant's index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. Data represents the index calculated for Q3 2010, Q2 2010, and Q1 2010.

Shannon Gaherty, your Newcomer Relations Coordinator, understands challenges in relocating to a new community and can help you make a smooth transition. Part of Greater Dubuque's workforce initiative, these services are available at no charge. Contact her today to begin planning your move to Dubuque.

Shannon Gaherty
Newcomer Relations Coordinator
563.557.9049