Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Boise, ID?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 40% of gross income.
Boise rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho 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 Idaho cities have lower median rent than Boise, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boise
View full rent data for Boise, ID →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Boise, ID?
Median rent in Boise is $1,808 a month. A typical carpenter in Idaho earns about $54,237 a year, which makes that rent 40% 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 Boise?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Idaho (~$54,237/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Boise's current median rent is $1,808/mo, which is $452/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Boise?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a carpenter in Idaho works roughly 69.3 hours a month to cover Boise's median rent of $1,808.
Where is rent cheaper than Boise for a carpenter?
Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Coeur d'Alene ($1,807/mo), Rathdrum ($1,791/mo), Rathdrum ($1,787/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.