How much rent can you afford in West Des Moines, IA?
Run your salary against West Des Moines's current rent, or find the income you'd need for a target rent. Powered by live RentDataNow medians.
The 30% rent rule, in West Des Moines
At a median rent of $1,353/mo, West Des Moines is very affordable when measured against West Des Moines median household income of $86,594/yr. Rent would consume roughly 19% of pre-tax income, and a salary of about $54,120 keeps rent at the recommended 30% threshold.
How West Des Moines compares nearby
Median rent for the closest cities with data.
Frequently asked
How much rent can I afford in West Des Moines?
On a $86,594 salary (the West Des Moines median household income), the recommended ceiling is 30% of pre-tax income, or about $2,165/mo. West Des Moines's median rent is $1,353/mo. Use the calculator on this page to run your own salary.
What salary do I need to live in West Des Moines?
To keep West Des Moines's $1,353/mo median rent under 30% of income, you'd need about $54,120/yr. Lower your target share (e.g. 25%) to need more, or raise it (e.g. 40%) to need less.
Is West Des Moines affordable on the median Iowa income?
West Des Moines is very affordable on a $86,594 income. Rent would take 19% of pre-tax pay, inside the recommended 30% threshold.
What's the 30% rent rule?
The 30% rule is a long-standing budgeting guideline that keeps rent at or below 30% of gross (pre-tax) income. It leaves enough room for utilities, transit, savings, and debt service. In high-cost markets, many renters exceed 30%, and the Census Bureau classifies households paying more than 30% of income on rent as "cost-burdened".