Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Surprise, AZ?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.1% of gross income.
Surprise rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona 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 Arizona cities have lower median rent than Surprise, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Surprise
View full rent data for Surprise, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Surprise, AZ?
Median rent in Surprise is $1,927 a month. A typical carpenter in Arizona earns about $59,112 a year, which makes that rent 39.1% 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 Surprise?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Arizona (~$59,112/yr) supports up to $1,478 a month in rent. Surprise's current median rent is $1,927/mo, which is $449/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Surprise?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in Arizona works roughly 67.8 hours a month to cover Surprise's median rent of $1,927.
Where is rent cheaper than Surprise for a carpenter?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Prescott ($1,925/mo), Prescott ($1,924/mo), Prescott ($1,924/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.