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

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

NO On $50,000/yr, the typical $296,070 home in Des Moines, IA needs $87,288/yr ($2,037/mo). Your gap: $-37,288 — housing would be 48.9% of your gross income.

The math

296,070 price − 10% down (29,607) = 266,463 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.47% on 266,463 = 1,679/mo principal+interest
+ 358/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
2,037/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 7,274/mo → 87,288/yr required

against Zillow ZHVI 2026-05 and the 6.47% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-06-18).

What salary WOULD clear Des Moines, IA?

You need about $87,288/yr for the typical home. That's $37,288 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 →