Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.5% of gross income.
West Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a bus driver salary
Transit bus driver pay sits near the US median household income, with municipal and unionized routes often paying more. At the national-average bus driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,296 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 bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Des Moines
View full rent data for West Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in West Des Moines is $1,369 a month. A typical bus driver in Iowa earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 34.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in West Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Iowa (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. West Des Moines's current median rent is $1,369/mo, which is $177/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in West Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Iowa works roughly 59.7 hours a month to cover West Des Moines's median rent of $1,369.
Where is rent cheaper than West Des Moines for a bus driver?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include North Liberty ($1,367/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,365/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,355/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.