RateHerald

No link on RateHerald pays us today. When some do, they'll say so, and they'll never change a ranking. How we make money

Des Moines, IA Rent Affordability Calculator

The median rent in the Des Moines, IA area is $1,150 a month including utilities, which takes 16% of the median household income ($85,890). Paying it on 30% of income needs about $46,000 a year.

On $86,000 a year, 30% of income is $2,150 a month for rent. A $1,150 rent takes 16.0% of gross income; many landlords want income of 40 times the rent, $46,000.

Rent you can afford
$2,150 a month
That rent takes
16.0% of income
Income a landlord may ask for (40× rent)
$46,000

Rent you can afford in Des Moines, IA by income (30% rule)

IncomeAffordable rentAgainst the median rent
$40,000$1,000−13.0%
$60,000$1,50030.4%
$80,000$2,00073.9%
$100,000$2,500117.4%
$150,000$3,750226.1%

How this calculator works

Median gross rent and median household income for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Affordable rent is 30% of gross monthly income.

What it assumes

  • Medians across all rentals, of every size and age; new listings usually ask more.

Questions people ask

What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?

The median gross rent is $1,150 a month, including utilities (Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

What salary do I need to live in Des Moines, IA?

To rent at the median on 30% of income, about $46,000 a year; many landlords ask for 40 times the rent, $46,000.

Is rent affordable in Des Moines, IA?

The median rent takes 16% of the median household income there, within the 30% guideline.

How does the cost of living in Des Moines, IA compare?

Overall prices are 8.3% below the US average, and housing 15.3% below (BEA, 2024).

Nearby and large metro areas

Related calculators

  • Rent Affordability CalculatorThe rent your income supports under the 30% guideline, what a given rent takes of your pay, and the income landlords often ask for, with median rents in large metro areas.
  • Des Moines, IA Cost of Living CalculatorPrices in the Des Moines, IA area are 8.3% below the US average, and housing 15.3% below (BEA, 2024). Compare a salary here with anywhere else.
  • Rent vs Buy CalculatorWhether buying or renting leaves you better off after the years you plan to stay, counting mortgage interest, tax, upkeep, selling costs and what a renter earns investing the down payment.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.