Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Kelso, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.7% of gross income.
Kelso rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Kelso, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kelso
View full rent data for Kelso, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Kelso, WA?
Median rent in Kelso is $1,469 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Washington earns about $57,422 a year, which makes that rent 30.7% 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 Kelso?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Washington (~$57,422/yr) supports up to $1,436 a month in rent. Kelso's current median rent is $1,469/mo, which is $33/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Kelso?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, an auto mechanic in Washington works roughly 53.2 hours a month to cover Kelso's median rent of $1,469.
Where is rent cheaper than Kelso for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Moses Lake ($1,468/mo), University Place ($1,467/mo), Chehalis ($1,465/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.