Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Des Moines, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.1% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Des Moines, WA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $2,013 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Washington earns about $57,422 a year, which makes that rent 42.1% 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 Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Washington (~$57,422/yr) supports up to $1,436 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which is $577/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, an auto mechanic in Washington works roughly 72.9 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $2,013.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Olympia ($2,012/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Ridgefield ($2,011/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.