Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Tucson, AZ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.9% of gross income.
Tucson 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 Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tucson
View full rent data for Tucson, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
Median rent in Tucson is $1,425 a month. A typical carpenter in Arizona earns about $59,112 a year, which makes that rent 28.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Tucson?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Arizona (~$59,112/yr) supports up to $1,478 a month in rent. Tucson's current median rent is $1,425/mo, which leaves a $53/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Tucson?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in Arizona works roughly 50.1 hours a month to cover Tucson's median rent of $1,425.
Where is rent cheaper than Tucson for a carpenter?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Sierra Vista ($1,423/mo), Youngtown ($1,423/mo), Kingman ($1,422/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.