Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Altoona, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.5% of gross income.
Altoona rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Altoona, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Altoona
View full rent data for Altoona, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Altoona, IA?
Median rent in Altoona is $1,475 a month. A typical pharmacist in Iowa earns about $122,130 a year, which makes that rent 14.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Altoona?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Iowa (~$122,130/yr) supports up to $3,053 a month in rent. Altoona's current median rent is $1,475/mo, which leaves a $1,578/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Altoona?
At an hourly equivalent of about $59 an hour, a pharmacist in Iowa works roughly 25.1 hours a month to cover Altoona's median rent of $1,475.
Where is rent cheaper than Altoona for a pharmacist?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Norwalk ($1,472/mo), Grimes ($1,469/mo), Grimes ($1,465/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.