Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Indianola, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.4% of gross income.
Indianola 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 Indianola, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Indianola
View full rent data for Indianola, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Indianola, IA?
Median rent in Indianola is $1,282 a month. A typical carpenter in Iowa earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 27.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Indianola?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Iowa (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Indianola's current median rent is $1,282/mo, which leaves a $120/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Indianola?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Iowa works roughly 47.6 hours a month to cover Indianola's median rent of $1,282.
Where is rent cheaper than Indianola for a carpenter?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Bettendorf ($1,280/mo), Bettendorf ($1,279/mo), Coralville ($1,278/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.