Can A Welder Afford Rent in Ankeny, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.6% of gross income.
Ankeny 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 Ankeny, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ankeny
View full rent data for Ankeny, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Ankeny, IA?
Median rent in Ankeny is $1,520 a month. A typical welder in Iowa earns about $47,297 a year, which makes that rent 38.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a welder afford in Ankeny?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Iowa (~$47,297/yr) supports up to $1,182 a month in rent. Ankeny's current median rent is $1,520/mo, which is $338/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Ankeny?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Iowa works roughly 66.8 hours a month to cover Ankeny's median rent of $1,520.
Where is rent cheaper than Ankeny for a welder?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Altoona ($1,519/mo), Altoona ($1,518/mo), Waukee ($1,509/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.