Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.1% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a licensed practical nurse salary
LPN pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. At the national-average LPN salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,520 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,121 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Iowa earns about $55,927 a year, which makes that rent 24.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Iowa (~$55,927/yr) supports up to $1,398 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,121/mo, which leaves a $277/mo buffer.
How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Iowa works roughly 41.7 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,121.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a licensed practical nurse?
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 licensed practical nurse salary.