Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Star, ID?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 64.5% of gross income.

Star rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho state estimate).

Star median rent
$2,452/mo
Auto Mechanic salary (Idaho)
$45,630/yr
Rent as % of income
64.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,803, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,141/mo in rent. Star's median rent of $2,452 exceeds that threshold by $1,311/mo, putting an auto mechanic salary into the rent-burdened range here. An auto mechanic works roughly 111.8 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 Idaho cities have lower median rent than Star, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:

Kuna, ID
$2,346/mo (61.7% of income)
Kuna, ID
$2,318/mo (61% of income)
Kuna, ID
$2,290/mo (60.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Star

View full rent data for Star, ID →

Frequently asked questions

Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Star, ID?

Median rent in Star is $2,452 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Idaho earns about $45,630 a year, which makes that rent 64.5% 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 Star?

Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Idaho (~$45,630/yr) supports up to $1,141 a month in rent. Star's current median rent is $2,452/mo, which is $1,311/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, an auto mechanic in Idaho works roughly 111.8 hours a month to cover Star's median rent of $2,452.

Where is rent cheaper than Star for an auto mechanic?

Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Kuna ($2,346/mo), Kuna ($2,318/mo), Kuna ($2,290/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.

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