Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Waukee, IA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.4% of gross income.

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

Waukee median rent
$1,665/mo
Plumber salary (Iowa)
$61,732/yr
Rent as % of income
32.4%
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 $1,665 exceeds that threshold by $122/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 56.1 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:

North Liberty, IA
$1,655/mo (32.2% of income)
Altoona, IA
$1,639/mo (31.9% of income)
Altoona, IA
$1,622/mo (31.5% 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 $1,665 a month. A typical plumber in Iowa earns about $61,732 a year, which makes that rent 32.4% 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 $1,665/mo, which is $122/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 56.1 hours a month to cover Waukee's median rent of $1,665.

Where is rent cheaper than Waukee for a plumber?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include North Liberty ($1,655/mo), Altoona ($1,639/mo), Altoona ($1,622/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.