Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Santa Maria, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.8% of gross income.
Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Maria
View full rent data for Santa Maria, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Santa Maria, CA?
Median rent in Santa Maria is $2,562 a month. A typical carpenter in California earns about $71,909 a year, which makes that rent 42.8% 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 Santa Maria?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in California (~$71,909/yr) supports up to $1,798 a month in rent. Santa Maria's current median rent is $2,562/mo, which is $764/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Santa Maria?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a carpenter in California works roughly 74.1 hours a month to cover Santa Maria's median rent of $2,562.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Maria for a carpenter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Montclair ($2,561/mo), Hacienda Heights ($2,561/mo), La Puente ($2,561/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.