Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.2% of gross income.
Ames rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a dental hygienist salary
Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,153 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Iowa earns about $80,509 a year, which makes that rent 17.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Iowa (~$80,509/yr) supports up to $2,013 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,153/mo, which leaves a $860/mo buffer.
How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $39 an hour, a dental hygienist in Iowa works roughly 29.8 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,153.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a dental hygienist?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,152/mo), Des Moines ($1,148/mo), Cedar Rapids ($1,146/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.