Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Ankeny, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Ankeny rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ankeny, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ankeny
View full rent data for Ankeny, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Ankeny, IA?
Median rent in Ankeny is $1,533 a month. A typical real estate agent in Iowa earns about $60,334 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Ankeny?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Iowa (~$60,334/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Ankeny's current median rent is $1,533/mo, which is $25/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Ankeny?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a real estate agent in Iowa works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Ankeny's median rent of $1,533.
Where is rent cheaper than Ankeny for a real estate agent?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Altoona ($1,530/mo), Altoona ($1,523/mo), Waukee ($1,521/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.