Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Bettendorf, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.3% of gross income.
Bettendorf rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and an auto mechanic salary
Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Bettendorf, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bettendorf
View full rent data for Bettendorf, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Bettendorf, IA?
Median rent in Bettendorf is $1,466 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Iowa earns about $47,168 a year, which makes that rent 37.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Bettendorf?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Iowa (~$47,168/yr) supports up to $1,179 a month in rent. Bettendorf's current median rent is $1,466/mo, which is $287/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Bettendorf?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, an auto mechanic in Iowa works roughly 64.6 hours a month to cover Bettendorf's median rent of $1,466.
Where is rent cheaper than Bettendorf for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Ankeny ($1,464/mo), Ankeny ($1,460/mo), Ankeny ($1,453/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.