Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Monmouth, OR?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.5% of gross income.

Monmouth rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon state estimate).

Monmouth median rent
$1,579/mo
Auto Mechanic salary (Oregon)
$53,321/yr
Rent as % of income
35.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,443, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,333/mo in rent. Monmouth's median rent of $1,579 exceeds that threshold by $246/mo, putting an auto mechanic salary into the rent-burdened range here. An auto mechanic works roughly 61.6 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Monmouth, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:

Keizer, OR
$1,578/mo (35.5% of income)
Keizer, OR
$1,577/mo (35.5% of income)
Astoria, OR
$1,575/mo (35.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Monmouth

View full rent data for Monmouth, OR →

Frequently asked questions

Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Monmouth, OR?

Median rent in Monmouth is $1,579 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Oregon earns about $53,321 a year, which makes that rent 35.5% 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 Monmouth?

Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Oregon (~$53,321/yr) supports up to $1,333 a month in rent. Monmouth's current median rent is $1,579/mo, which is $246/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, an auto mechanic in Oregon works roughly 61.6 hours a month to cover Monmouth's median rent of $1,579.

Where is rent cheaper than Monmouth for an auto mechanic?

Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Keizer ($1,578/mo), Keizer ($1,577/mo), Astoria ($1,575/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.

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