Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a bartender salary
Declared bartender pay sits below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in most US cities. Actual tip income in high-volume bars and fine-dining can push real take-home substantially higher. At the national-average declared bartender salary, the 30% rule supports about $878 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,131 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 42% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bartender afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,131/mo, which is $323/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 72.8 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,131.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a bartender?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,127/mo), Ames ($1,125/mo), Sioux City ($1,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.