Can A Software Developer Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 10.6% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a software developer salary
Software developer pay is among the highest of any large occupation, which makes rent affordability comfortable in nearly every US city. The interesting question for developers is not whether they can afford rent, but how much surplus is left after rent in different markets. At the national-average developer salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,453 a month in rent — well above the median rent in even the most expensive US metros. The per-city pages quantify how much paycheck remains after typical local rent at the local developer-pay estimate.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a software developer salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a software developer afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,121 a month. A typical software developer in Iowa earns about $127,061 a year, which makes that rent 10.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a software developer afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a software developer salary in Iowa (~$127,061/yr) supports up to $3,177 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,121/mo, which leaves a $2,056/mo buffer.
How many hours does a software developer work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $61 an hour, a software developer in Iowa works roughly 18.4 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,121.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a software developer?
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 software developer salary.