Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Moscow, ID?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.6% of gross income.
Moscow rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho 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 Idaho cities have lower median rent than Moscow, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Moscow
View full rent data for Moscow, ID →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Moscow, ID?
Median rent in Moscow is $1,393 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Idaho earns about $45,630 a year, which makes that rent 36.6% 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 Moscow?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Idaho (~$45,630/yr) supports up to $1,141 a month in rent. Moscow's current median rent is $1,393/mo, which is $252/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Moscow?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, an auto mechanic in Idaho works roughly 63.5 hours a month to cover Moscow's median rent of $1,393.
Where is rent cheaper than Moscow for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Idaho Falls ($1,388/mo), Idaho Falls ($1,388/mo), Idaho Falls ($1,387/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.