Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.7% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a physical therapist salary
Physical therapist pay covers comfortable rent across most US metros. At the national-average PT salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,493 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities tracked here.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,121 a month. A typical physical therapist in Iowa earns about $91,733 a year, which makes that rent 14.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Iowa (~$91,733/yr) supports up to $2,293 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,121/mo, which leaves a $1,172/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $44 an hour, a physical therapist in Iowa works roughly 25.4 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,121.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a physical therapist?
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 physical therapist salary.