Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Waterloo, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.5% of gross income.
Waterloo rent: June 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 Waterloo, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterloo
View full rent data for Waterloo, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Waterloo, IA?
Median rent in Waterloo is $898 a month. A typical plumber in Iowa earns about $61,732 a year, which makes that rent 17.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Waterloo?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Iowa (~$61,732/yr) supports up to $1,543 a month in rent. Waterloo's current median rent is $898/mo, which leaves a $645/mo buffer.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Waterloo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Iowa works roughly 30.3 hours a month to cover Waterloo's median rent of $898.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterloo for a plumber?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Rapids ($897/mo), Marshalltown ($893/mo), Newton ($887/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.