Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Iowa City, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.7% of gross income.
Iowa City rent: September 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 Iowa City, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Iowa City
View full rent data for Iowa City, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Iowa City, IA?
Median rent in Iowa City is $1,713 a month. A typical carpenter in Iowa earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 36.7% 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 Iowa City?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Iowa (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Iowa City's current median rent is $1,713/mo, which is $311/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Iowa City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Iowa works roughly 63.6 hours a month to cover Iowa City's median rent of $1,713.
Where is rent cheaper than Iowa City for a carpenter?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include North Liberty ($1,705/mo), North Liberty ($1,699/mo), North Liberty ($1,695/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.