Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 11% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 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 Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,121 a month. A typical pharmacist in Iowa earns about $122,130 a year, which makes that rent 11% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Iowa (~$122,130/yr) supports up to $3,053 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,121/mo, which leaves a $1,932/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $59 an hour, a pharmacist in Iowa works roughly 19.1 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,121.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a pharmacist?
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 pharmacist salary.