Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.4% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a retail salesperson salary
Retail pay sits below the rent threshold needed for solo apartment living in most US metros, which is the central tension behind the widely studied retail-housing affordability gap. At the national-average retail salary, the 30% rule supports about $927 a month in rent — below the median one-bedroom rent in nearly every metro tracked here. The per-city pages show which markets are least out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,121 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Iowa earns about $34,104 a year, which makes that rent 39.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a retail salesperson afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Iowa (~$34,104/yr) supports up to $853 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,121/mo, which is $268/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Iowa works roughly 68.4 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,121.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Rapids ($1,119/mo), Sioux City ($1,117/mo), Marion ($1,116/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.