WhereCanIAfford › Des Moines, IA › On $50,000

Is Des Moines, IA affordable on a $50,000 salary?

NO On $50,000/yr, the typical $292,513 home in Des Moines, IA needs $91,581/yr ($2,137/mo). Your gap: $-41,581 — housing would be 51.3% of your gross income.

The math

292,513 price − 10% down (29,251) = 263,262 loan
30-yr fixed at 7.18% on 263,262 = 1,783/mo principal+interest
+ 353/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
2,137/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 7,632/mo → 91,581/yr required

against Zillow ZHVI 2026-09 and the 7.18% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-11-05).

What salary WOULD clear Des Moines, IA?

You need about $91,581/yr for the typical home. That's $41,581 more than $50,000.

On $25,000? On $75,000? On $100,000?

See the full Des Moines, IA affordability breakdown → or every metro you can afford on $50,000 →