Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Waukee, IA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.1% of gross income.

Waukee rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Waukee median rent
$1,601/mo
Plumber salary (Iowa)
$61,732/yr
Rent as % of income
31.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,144, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,543/mo in rent. Waukee's median rent of $1,601 exceeds that threshold by $58/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 53.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Waukee, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Altoona, IA
$1,593/mo (31% of income)
Altoona, IA
$1,577/mo (30.7% of income)
Altoona, IA
$1,568/mo (30.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Waukee

View full rent data for Waukee, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Waukee, IA?

Median rent in Waukee is $1,601 a month. A typical plumber in Iowa earns about $61,732 a year, which makes that rent 31.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Waukee?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Iowa (~$61,732/yr) supports up to $1,543 a month in rent. Waukee's current median rent is $1,601/mo, which is $58/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Waukee?

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Iowa works roughly 53.9 hours a month to cover Waukee's median rent of $1,601.

Where is rent cheaper than Waukee for a plumber?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Altoona ($1,593/mo), Altoona ($1,577/mo), Altoona ($1,568/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Iowa state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Waukee, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.