Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Emporia, KS?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 19.5% of gross income.
Emporia rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Emporia, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Emporia
View full rent data for Emporia, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Emporia, KS?
Median rent in Emporia is $890 a month. A typical carpenter in Kansas earns about $54,846 a year, which makes that rent 19.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Emporia?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Kansas (~$54,846/yr) supports up to $1,371 a month in rent. Emporia's current median rent is $890/mo, which leaves a $481/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Emporia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a carpenter in Kansas works roughly 33.8 hours a month to cover Emporia's median rent of $890.
Where is rent cheaper than Emporia for a carpenter?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Pittsburg ($889/mo), Junction City ($887/mo), Newton ($885/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.