Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Chico, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.7% of gross income.
Chico rent: July 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 Chico, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chico
View full rent data for Chico, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Chico, CA?
Median rent in Chico is $1,541 a month. A typical carpenter in California earns about $71,909 a year, which makes that rent 25.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Chico?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in California (~$71,909/yr) supports up to $1,798 a month in rent. Chico's current median rent is $1,541/mo, which leaves a $257/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Chico?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a carpenter in California works roughly 44.6 hours a month to cover Chico's median rent of $1,541.
Where is rent cheaper than Chico for a carpenter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Redding ($1,540/mo), Red Bluff ($1,540/mo), Redding ($1,530/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.