Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Lafayette, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 66.3% of gross income.
Lafayette rent: June 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 Lafayette, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lafayette
View full rent data for Lafayette, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Lafayette, CA?
Median rent in Lafayette is $3,974 a month. A typical carpenter in California earns about $71,909 a year, which makes that rent 66.3% 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 Lafayette?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in California (~$71,909/yr) supports up to $1,798 a month in rent. Lafayette's current median rent is $3,974/mo, which is $2,176/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Lafayette?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a carpenter in California works roughly 114.9 hours a month to cover Lafayette's median rent of $3,974.
Where is rent cheaper than Lafayette for a carpenter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Ojai ($3,972/mo), Encinitas ($3,971/mo), Danville ($3,971/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.