Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Lexington, KY?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.5% of gross income.
Lexington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kentucky 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 Kentucky cities have lower median rent than Lexington, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lexington
View full rent data for Lexington, KY →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Lexington, KY?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,631 a month. A typical carpenter in Kentucky earns about $53,627 a year, which makes that rent 36.5% 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 Lexington?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Kentucky (~$53,627/yr) supports up to $1,341 a month in rent. Lexington's current median rent is $1,631/mo, which is $290/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Lexington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a carpenter in Kentucky works roughly 63.3 hours a month to cover Lexington's median rent of $1,631.
Where is rent cheaper than Lexington for a carpenter?
Nearby Kentucky cities with lower median rent include Shelbyville ($1,630/mo), Shelbyville ($1,626/mo), Shepherdsville ($1,624/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.