Can A Customer Service Representative Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.5% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a customer service representative salary
Customer service rep pay sits below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in most US metros. At the national-average CSR salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,060 a month in rent, which is below median rent in most cities tracked here.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a customer service representative salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a customer service representative afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,121 a month. A typical customer service representative in Iowa earns about $39,017 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 customer service representative afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a customer service representative salary in Iowa (~$39,017/yr) supports up to $975 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,121/mo, which is $146/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a customer service representative work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a customer service representative in Iowa works roughly 59.8 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,121.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a customer service representative?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Rapids ($1,119/mo), Sioux City ($1,117/mo), Marion ($1,116/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a customer service representative salary.