Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Johnston, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27% of gross income.
Johnston rent: September 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 Johnston, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Johnston
View full rent data for Johnston, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Johnston, IA?
Median rent in Johnston is $1,356 a month. A typical real estate agent in Iowa earns about $60,334 a year, which makes that rent 27% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Johnston?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Iowa (~$60,334/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Johnston's current median rent is $1,356/mo, which leaves a $152/mo buffer.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Johnston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a real estate agent in Iowa works roughly 46.7 hours a month to cover Johnston's median rent of $1,356.
Where is rent cheaper than Johnston for a real estate agent?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Grimes ($1,355/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,355/mo), Grimes ($1,353/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.