Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Key West, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 70.1% of gross income.
Key West rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Key West, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Key West
View full rent data for Key West, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Key West, FL?
Median rent in Key West is $3,312 a month. A typical carpenter in Florida earns about $56,674 a year, which makes that rent 70.1% 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 Key West?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Florida (~$56,674/yr) supports up to $1,417 a month in rent. Key West's current median rent is $3,312/mo, which is $1,895/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Key West?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Florida works roughly 121.6 hours a month to cover Key West's median rent of $3,312.
Where is rent cheaper than Key West for a carpenter?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Bay Harbor Islands ($3,303/mo), Islamorada ($3,297/mo), Redington Shores ($3,288/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.