Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Fayetteville, AR?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.6% of gross income.

Fayetteville rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).

Fayetteville median rent
$1,581/mo
Auto Mechanic salary (Arkansas)
$42,554/yr
Rent as % of income
44.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,546, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,064/mo in rent. Fayetteville's median rent of $1,581 exceeds that threshold by $517/mo, putting an auto mechanic salary into the rent-burdened range here. An auto mechanic works roughly 77.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Fayetteville, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:

Centerton, AR
$1,575/mo (44.4% of income)
Bentonville, AR
$1,573/mo (44.4% of income)
Centerton, AR
$1,573/mo (44.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Fayetteville

View full rent data for Fayetteville, AR →

Frequently asked questions

Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Fayetteville, AR?

Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,581 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Arkansas earns about $42,554 a year, which makes that rent 44.6% 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 Fayetteville?

Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Arkansas (~$42,554/yr) supports up to $1,064 a month in rent. Fayetteville's current median rent is $1,581/mo, which is $517/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Fayetteville?

At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, an auto mechanic in Arkansas works roughly 77.3 hours a month to cover Fayetteville's median rent of $1,581.

Where is rent cheaper than Fayetteville for an auto mechanic?

Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Centerton ($1,575/mo), Bentonville ($1,573/mo), Centerton ($1,573/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Arkansas state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Fayetteville, AR. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.