Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Benton, AR?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.6% of gross income.
Benton rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).
About rent and an auto mechanic salary
Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Benton, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Benton
View full rent data for Benton, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Benton, AR?
Median rent in Benton is $1,476 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Arkansas earns about $42,554 a year, which makes that rent 41.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Benton?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Arkansas (~$42,554/yr) supports up to $1,064 a month in rent. Benton's current median rent is $1,476/mo, which is $412/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Benton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, an auto mechanic in Arkansas works roughly 72.1 hours a month to cover Benton's median rent of $1,476.
Where is rent cheaper than Benton for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Prairie Grove ($1,464/mo), Hot Springs Village ($1,452/mo), Cabot ($1,448/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.