Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Laguna Beach, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 84.6% of gross income.
Laguna Beach 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 Laguna Beach, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laguna Beach
View full rent data for Laguna Beach, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Laguna Beach, CA?
Median rent in Laguna Beach is $5,068 a month. A typical carpenter in California earns about $71,909 a year, which makes that rent 84.6% 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 Laguna Beach?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in California (~$71,909/yr) supports up to $1,798 a month in rent. Laguna Beach's current median rent is $5,068/mo, which is $3,270/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Laguna Beach?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a carpenter in California works roughly 146.6 hours a month to cover Laguna Beach's median rent of $5,068.
Where is rent cheaper than Laguna Beach for a carpenter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Tiburon ($5,059/mo), Topanga ($5,025/mo), Westlake Village ($5,001/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.