Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.5% of gross income.
West Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than West Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Des Moines
View full rent data for West Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in West Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in West Des Moines is $1,369 a month. A typical truck driver in Iowa earns about $52,173 a year, which makes that rent 31.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in West Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Iowa (~$52,173/yr) supports up to $1,304 a month in rent. West Des Moines's current median rent is $1,369/mo, which is $65/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in West Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a truck driver in Iowa works roughly 54.6 hours a month to cover West Des Moines's median rent of $1,369.
Where is rent cheaper than West Des Moines for a truck driver?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include North Liberty ($1,367/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,365/mo), Cedar Falls ($1,355/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a truck driver salary.