The $100,000 Salary Analysis for West Des Moines

This analysis strips away the hype. $100,000 is a benchmark salary, but it is not "rich" after the government takes its share and you pay rent. We focus on purchasing power—what is actually left to spend or save.

1. The Verification Test

Here is the reality of a $100,000 gross salary in West Des Moines. We assume Single Filer, Standard Deduction.

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Income Tax: -$14,605 (Marginal Bracket: 24%)
• FICA (Social Security/Medicare): -$7,650
• Iowa State Income Tax: -$5,100 (Estimated Effective Rate: ~5.1%)
  • Note: Iowa recently flattened rates to 3.9% starting 2025, but current year calculations remain around 5.1% for this bracket.
• Total Tax Burden: -$27,355 (27.3% effective tax rate)

Net Pay (Take-Home)

• Annual Net Pay: $72,645
• Monthly Net Pay: $6,054

2. Smart Budget (50/30/20 Rule)

The 50/30/20 rule suggests spending 50% on Needs, 30% on Wants, and saving 20%. Here is how that translates to your $6,054 monthly net income.

Needs (50%): $3,027

• Rent (1BR Average): -$899
• Utilities (Electric, Heat, Water): -$180
• Groceries: -$400
• Transportation (Car Insurance/Gas): -$300
• Health Insurance (Post-Employer Contribution): -$200
• Remaining Buffer: $1,048
  • Verdict: You have a healthy buffer here. Rent is the primary driver, and West Des Moines remains affordable in this category.

Wants (30%): $1,816

• Dining/Entertainment: -$600
• Shopping/Personal Care: -$400
• Subscriptions/Hobbies: -$150
• Travel: -$666
  • Verdict: This is a comfortable lifestyle budget, provided you do not have significant debt payments (student loans, credit cards).

Savings (20%): $1,211

• Emergency Fund/Investments: $1,211
  • Verdict: This is adequate for building wealth, but it will not make you a millionaire overnight. If you have a 401(k) match, prioritize that here.

3. West Des Moines Tax Context

Iowa sits in the middle-to-high tier for state income tax.

• Vs. Low-Tax (Texas/Florida): 0% State Income Tax.
  • Difference: In Texas, your annual net pay would be roughly $3,400 higher ($76,000+ net). You keep more of your gross salary immediately.
• Vs. High-Tax (California/NY): ~9-10% State Income Tax.
  • Difference: In California, your annual net pay would be roughly $5,000 lower ($67,000 net).
• The Trade-off: West Des Moines offers significantly lower housing costs than Austin or Miami. The lower rent ($899 vs. $1,800+) offsets the state tax disadvantage compared to zero-tax states.

4. FAQ

"Is $100k good here?"
It is a comfortable salary. It is not "wealthy." You will live alone, drive a reliable car, and eat out, but you are not buying a house in the nicer neighborhoods without a dual income or a substantial down payment.

"Local income tax?"
West Des Moines does not levy a local income tax. You only pay Federal and Iowa State taxes.

"What about property taxes?"
High. Iowa property taxes are above the national average. If you buy a home, expect your monthly housing cost (mortgage + tax) to be significantly higher than your rent, regardless of the home price.