Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Wausau, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.4% of gross income.
Wausau rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Wausau, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wausau
View full rent data for Wausau, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Wausau, WI?
Median rent in Wausau is $1,029 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Wisconsin earns about $48,707 a year, which makes that rent 25.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Wausau?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Wisconsin (~$48,707/yr) supports up to $1,218 a month in rent. Wausau's current median rent is $1,029/mo, which leaves a $189/mo buffer.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Wausau?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, an auto mechanic in Wisconsin works roughly 43.9 hours a month to cover Wausau's median rent of $1,029.
Where is rent cheaper than Wausau for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Beloit ($1,027/mo), Green Bay ($1,027/mo), Wisconsin Rapids ($1,026/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.