Can A Chef Afford Rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.8% of gross income.
West Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a chef salary
Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 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 chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Des Moines
View full rent data for West Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in West Des Moines is $1,369 a month. A typical chef in Iowa earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 27.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in West Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Iowa (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. West Des Moines's current median rent is $1,369/mo, which leaves a $106/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in West Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Iowa works roughly 48.2 hours a month to cover West Des Moines's median rent of $1,369.
Where is rent cheaper than West Des Moines for a chef?
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 chef salary.