Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Gloucester, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.9% of gross income.
Gloucester rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Gloucester, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Gloucester
View full rent data for Gloucester, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Gloucester, MA?
Median rent in Gloucester is $2,574 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Massachusetts earns about $59,473 a year, which makes that rent 51.9% 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 Gloucester?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Massachusetts (~$59,473/yr) supports up to $1,487 a month in rent. Gloucester's current median rent is $2,574/mo, which is $1,087/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Gloucester?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, an auto mechanic in Massachusetts works roughly 90 hours a month to cover Gloucester's median rent of $2,574.
Where is rent cheaper than Gloucester for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Melrose ($2,572/mo), Maynard ($2,571/mo), Amherst ($2,570/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.