Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Boston, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.5% of gross income.
Boston rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Boston, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boston
View full rent data for Boston, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Boston, MA?
Median rent in Boston is $3,271 a month. A typical carpenter in Massachusetts earns about $70,690 a year, which makes that rent 55.5% 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 Boston?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Massachusetts (~$70,690/yr) supports up to $1,767 a month in rent. Boston's current median rent is $3,271/mo, which is $1,504/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Boston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a carpenter in Massachusetts works roughly 96.2 hours a month to cover Boston's median rent of $3,271.
Where is rent cheaper than Boston for a carpenter?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Somerville ($3,268/mo), Somerville ($3,264/mo), Winchester ($3,264/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.