Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Des Moines, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.9% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Des Moines, WA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $2,013 a month. A typical real estate agent in Washington earns about $73,450 a year, which makes that rent 32.9% 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 Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Washington (~$73,450/yr) supports up to $1,836 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which is $177/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a real estate agent in Washington works roughly 57 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $2,013.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a real estate agent?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Olympia ($2,012/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Ridgefield ($2,011/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.