Can A Welder Afford Rent in Iowa City, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.
Iowa City rent: July 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 Iowa City, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Iowa City
View full rent data for Iowa City, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Iowa City, IA?
Median rent in Iowa City is $1,271 a month. A typical welder in Iowa earns about $47,297 a year, which makes that rent 32.2% 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 Iowa City?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Iowa (~$47,297/yr) supports up to $1,182 a month in rent. Iowa City's current median rent is $1,271/mo, which is $89/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Iowa City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Iowa works roughly 55.9 hours a month to cover Iowa City's median rent of $1,271.
Where is rent cheaper than Iowa City for a welder?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Bettendorf ($1,266/mo), Bettendorf ($1,264/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,264/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.