Can A Welder Afford Rent in Urbandale, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Urbandale 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 Urbandale, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Urbandale
View full rent data for Urbandale, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Urbandale, IA?
Median rent in Urbandale is $1,203 a month. A typical welder in Iowa earns about $47,297 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Urbandale?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Iowa (~$47,297/yr) supports up to $1,182 a month in rent. Urbandale's current median rent is $1,203/mo, which is $21/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Urbandale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Iowa works roughly 52.9 hours a month to cover Urbandale's median rent of $1,203.
Where is rent cheaper than Urbandale for a welder?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Coralville ($1,199/mo), Pleasant Hill ($1,196/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,195/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.