Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.1% of gross income.
Ames rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,240 a month. A typical plumber in Iowa earns about $61,732 a year, which makes that rent 24.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Iowa (~$61,732/yr) supports up to $1,543 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,240/mo, which leaves a $303/mo buffer.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Iowa works roughly 41.8 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,240.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a plumber?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,239/mo), Sioux City ($1,237/mo), Sioux City ($1,236/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.