Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Des Moines, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.6% of gross income.

Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Des Moines median rent
$2,013/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Washington)
$98,011/yr
Rent as % of income
24.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $8,168, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,450/mo in rent. Des Moines's median rent of $2,013 leaves roughly $437/mo of headroom under that threshold. A dental hygienist works roughly 42.7 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Olympia, WA
$2,012/mo (24.6% of income)
Burlington, WA
$2,011/mo (24.6% of income)
Ridgefield, WA
$2,011/mo (24.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Des Moines

View full rent data for Des Moines, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Des Moines, WA?

Median rent in Des Moines is $2,013 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Washington earns about $98,011 a year, which makes that rent 24.6% 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 Washington (~$98,011/yr) supports up to $2,450 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which leaves a $437/mo buffer.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Des Moines?

At an hourly equivalent of about $47 an hour, a dental hygienist in Washington works roughly 42.7 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $2,013.

Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Olympia ($2,012/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Ridgefield ($2,011/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Washington state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Des Moines, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.