Can A Bartender Afford Rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.2% of gross income.
West 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 West Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Des Moines
View full rent data for West Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in West Des Moines is $1,353 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 50.2% 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 West Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. West Des Moines's current median rent is $1,353/mo, which is $545/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in West Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 87.1 hours a month to cover West Des Moines's median rent of $1,353.
Where is rent cheaper than West Des Moines for a bartender?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Falls ($1,352/mo), North Liberty ($1,352/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,351/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.