Can A Welder Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.5% of gross income.
Ames rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a welder salary
Welder pay tracks the US median household income closely. Pipeline and underwater welders earn materially more. At the national-average welder salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,285 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,125 a month. A typical welder in Iowa earns about $47,297 a year, which makes that rent 28.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a welder afford in Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Iowa (~$47,297/yr) supports up to $1,182 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,125/mo, which leaves a $57/mo buffer.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Iowa works roughly 49.5 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,125.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a welder?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,123/mo), Des Moines ($1,123/mo), Dubuque ($1,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.