Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28% of gross income.
Cedar Rapids rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Cedar Rapids, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cedar Rapids
View full rent data for Cedar Rapids, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Median rent in Cedar Rapids is $1,307 a month. A typical carpenter in Iowa earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 28% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Cedar Rapids?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Iowa (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Cedar Rapids's current median rent is $1,307/mo, which leaves a $95/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Cedar Rapids?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Iowa works roughly 48.5 hours a month to cover Cedar Rapids's median rent of $1,307.
Where is rent cheaper than Cedar Rapids for a carpenter?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include West Des Moines ($1,304/mo), Iowa City ($1,300/mo), Urbandale ($1,298/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.