Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Boulder, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.7% of gross income.
Boulder rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Boulder, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boulder
View full rent data for Boulder, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Boulder, CO?
Median rent in Boulder is $2,439 a month. A typical carpenter in Colorado earns about $63,987 a year, which makes that rent 45.7% 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 Boulder?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Colorado (~$63,987/yr) supports up to $1,600 a month in rent. Boulder's current median rent is $2,439/mo, which is $839/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Boulder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a carpenter in Colorado works roughly 79.3 hours a month to cover Boulder's median rent of $2,439.
Where is rent cheaper than Boulder for a carpenter?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Highlands Ranch ($2,435/mo), Highlands Ranch ($2,430/mo), Steamboat Springs ($2,429/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.