Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 13.5% of gross income.
West 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 West Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Des Moines
View full rent data for West Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in West Des Moines is $1,369 a month. A typical pharmacist in Iowa earns about $122,130 a year, which makes that rent 13.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in West Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Iowa (~$122,130/yr) supports up to $3,053 a month in rent. West Des Moines's current median rent is $1,369/mo, which leaves a $1,684/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in West Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $59 an hour, a pharmacist in Iowa works roughly 23.3 hours a month to cover West Des Moines's median rent of $1,369.
Where is rent cheaper than West Des Moines for a pharmacist?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include North Liberty ($1,367/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,365/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,355/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.