Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Fairbanks, AK?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31% of gross income.
Fairbanks rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alaska state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Alaska cities have lower median rent than Fairbanks, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fairbanks
View full rent data for Fairbanks, AK →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Fairbanks, AK?
Median rent in Fairbanks is $1,762 a month. A typical carpenter in Alaska earns about $68,253 a year, which makes that rent 31% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Fairbanks?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Alaska (~$68,253/yr) supports up to $1,706 a month in rent. Fairbanks's current median rent is $1,762/mo, which is $56/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Fairbanks?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a carpenter in Alaska works roughly 53.7 hours a month to cover Fairbanks's median rent of $1,762.
Where is rent cheaper than Fairbanks for a carpenter?
Nearby Alaska cities with lower median rent include Wasilla ($1,760/mo), Wasilla ($1,730/mo), Anchorage ($1,730/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.