Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Des Moines, WA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 16.8% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington 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, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Des Moines, WA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $2,084 a month. A typical pharmacist in Washington earns about $148,680 a year, which makes that rent 16.8% 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 Washington (~$148,680/yr) supports up to $3,717 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $2,084/mo, which leaves a $1,633/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $71 an hour, a pharmacist in Washington works roughly 29.2 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $2,084.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a pharmacist?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Pacific ($2,083/mo), Mercer Island ($2,083/mo), Lynnwood ($2,083/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.