Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.6% of gross income.
West Des Moines rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a nursing assistant salary
Nursing assistant (CNA) pay falls below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in nearly every US metro, which is the central tension behind the widely studied direct-care workforce affordability gap. At the national-average CNA salary, the 30% rule supports about $990 a month in rent — below median rent in most cities. The per-city pages quantify how far below.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than West Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Des Moines
View full rent data for West Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in West Des Moines is $1,353 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Iowa earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 44.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in West Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Iowa (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. West Des Moines's current median rent is $1,353/mo, which is $442/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in West Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Iowa works roughly 77.2 hours a month to cover West Des Moines's median rent of $1,353.
Where is rent cheaper than West Des Moines for a nursing assistant?
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 nursing assistant salary.