Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Des Moines?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Des Moines, you need to earn at least $80,080/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $81,362, which means the typical resident is $1,282 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 32,667

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,401	$4,670	$56,040	$-25,322
1 Bedroom	$1,662	$5,540	$66,480	$-14,882
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$2,002	$6,673	$80,080	$-1,282
3 Bedroom	$2,442	$8,140	$97,680	+$16,318
4 Bedroom	$3,003	$10,010	$120,120	+$38,758

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Des Moines's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$81,362

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$80,080

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$1,282

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.5%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Des Moines

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Des Moines's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,034

Studio

$1,401/mo

1 BR

$1,662/mo

2 BR

$2,002/mo

3 BR

$2,442/mo

4 BR

$3,003/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Des Moines.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Des Moines's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Des Moines

Des Moines is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $1,282. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,662/month) or studio ($1,401/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Des Moines pushes the required income to $97,680.

For comfortable living in Des Moines without financial stress, target a household income of at least $120,120 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Washington's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Des Moines, Washington.

With a total population of 32,667, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 15,341 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $80,080 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

15,341

Active civilian employees in Des Moines

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Des Moines

What salary do I need to live in Des Moines, Washington?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Des Moines under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $80,080. The median household income in Des Moines is $81,362.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Des Moines on $81,362?

The affordability verdict for Des Moines is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.5%, meaning median earners have a $1,282 surplus.

What is the average rent in Des Moines compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Des Moines is $1,662/month. With a median household income of $81,362, residents spend approximately 29.5% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Des Moines?

A studio in Des Moines rents for approximately $1,401/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $56,040 to afford this.

Is Des Moines considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $1,282 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Des Moines is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $80,080 to the local median household income.

How Des Moines Compares

Other cities in Washington with salary requirements