Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 16.9% of gross income.
Des Moines 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 Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,131 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Iowa earns about $80,509 a year, which makes that rent 16.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Iowa (~$80,509/yr) supports up to $2,013 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,131/mo, which leaves a $882/mo buffer.
How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $39 an hour, a dental hygienist in Iowa works roughly 29.2 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,131.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a dental hygienist?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,127/mo), Ames ($1,125/mo), Sioux City ($1,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.