Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Urbandale, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.2% of gross income.
Urbandale rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Urbandale, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Urbandale
View full rent data for Urbandale, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Urbandale, IA?
Median rent in Urbandale is $1,038 a month. A typical carpenter in Iowa earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 22.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Urbandale?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Iowa (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Urbandale's current median rent is $1,038/mo, which leaves a $364/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Urbandale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Iowa works roughly 38.5 hours a month to cover Urbandale's median rent of $1,038.
Where is rent cheaper than Urbandale for a carpenter?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Indianola ($1,036/mo), Dubuque ($1,035/mo), Pella ($1,035/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.