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Can You Afford a Studio in Des Moines-West Des Moines? The Salary Math.

We use a 2-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,318/month as a proxy for the studio in Des Moines-West Des Moines. To keep rent under 30% of take-home, you need at least $68,000/year before taxes.HUD does not publish a separate FMR for a studio in Des Moines-West Des Moines. Showing the 2-bedroom rent of $1,318/month as a proxy.

HUD does not publish a separate FMR for a studio in Des Moines-West Des Moines. Showing the 2-bedroom rent of $1,318/month as a proxy.

Salary thresholds at the HUD FMR of $1,318/month

Rent burden based on estimated take-home after federal, state, and FICA taxes (single filer). Verdict uses 30% rule.

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly take-homeRent burdenVerdict
Entry-level (10th pct.)$61,210$4,01332.8%Stretch
Early career (25th pct.)$77,370$4,90326.9%OK
Median$100,700$6,16021.4%Comfortable
Experienced (75th pct.)$100,820$6,16621.4%Comfortable
Top earners (90th pct.)$128,430$7,63717.3%Comfortable

Verdict guide: Comfortable <25% | OK 25-30% | Stretch 30-40% | Too much >40%

Jobs that pay enough to afford a Studio in Des Moines-West Des Moines

These occupations have median salaries that keep rent under 30% of take-home.

Power Plant Operators
$100,700/yr median
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
$80,080/yr median
Advertising and Promotions Managers
$115,900/yr median
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
$76,850/yr median
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
$84,740/yr median
Natural Sciences Managers
$118,740/yr median
General and Operations Managers
$98,780/yr median
Registered Nurses
$78,630/yr median

Keep exploring Des Moines-West Des Moines

Top paying jobs in Des Moines-West Des MoinesCost of living in Des Moines-West Des MoinesCan you afford a 1-bedroom?Can you afford a 3-bedroom?

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to afford a studio in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
You need roughly $68,000/year gross to keep a studio at $1,318/month under the 30% rent burden threshold. That uses current federal and IA state tax brackets with FICA, assuming single filing and the standard deduction.
How much is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a studio in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
HUD publishes Fair Market Rents at the metro level, not for Des Moines-West Des Moines as a whole. We use the statewide 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,318/month as a proxy.
Is Des Moines-West Des Moines expensive for renters?
Des Moines-West Des Moines is below the national average in cost. A studio at the HUD FMR of $1,318/month is more manageable here than in most metros.
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The standard guideline is 30% of your gross monthly income before taxes. Go above that and you risk being "rent-burdened," which the Census Bureau defines as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Budget carefully if your rent burden sits above 40%.
Which jobs pay enough to afford rent in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
The following occupations in Des Moines-West Des Moines have median salaries that keep studio rent under 30% of take-home pay: Power Plant Operators, Structural Iron and Steel Workers, Advertising and Promotions Managers, Atmospheric and Space Scientists, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Natural Sciences Managers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses.

Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."

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