Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 95.8% of gross income.
Carmel-by-the-Sea rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California 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 California cities have lower median rent than Carmel-by-the-Sea, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carmel-by-the-Sea
View full rent data for Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?
Median rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $5,742 a month. A typical carpenter in California earns about $71,909 a year, which makes that rent 95.8% 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in California (~$71,909/yr) supports up to $1,798 a month in rent. Carmel-by-the-Sea's current median rent is $5,742/mo, which is $3,944/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a carpenter in California works roughly 166.1 hours a month to cover Carmel-by-the-Sea's median rent of $5,742.
Where is rent cheaper than Carmel-by-the-Sea for a carpenter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Los Altos ($5,734/mo), Saratoga ($5,728/mo), Saratoga ($5,723/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.