Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.6% of gross income.
Ames rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a hvac technician salary
HVAC technician pay sits near the US median household income and rises sharply with certification and overtime. At the national-average HVAC salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,433 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a hvac technician afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,125 a month. A typical hvac technician in Iowa earns about $52,716 a year, which makes that rent 25.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a hvac technician afford in Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Iowa (~$52,716/yr) supports up to $1,318 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,125/mo, which leaves a $193/mo buffer.
How many hours does a hvac technician work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a hvac technician in Iowa works roughly 44.4 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,125.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a hvac technician?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,123/mo), Des Moines ($1,123/mo), Dubuque ($1,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.