Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.5% of gross income.
Chelmsford rent: June 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 Chelmsford, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelmsford
View full rent data for Chelmsford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Median rent in Chelmsford is $2,680 a month. A typical carpenter in Massachusetts earns about $70,690 a year, which makes that rent 45.5% 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 Chelmsford?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Massachusetts (~$70,690/yr) supports up to $1,767 a month in rent. Chelmsford's current median rent is $2,680/mo, which is $913/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Chelmsford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a carpenter in Massachusetts works roughly 78.9 hours a month to cover Chelmsford's median rent of $2,680.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelmsford for a carpenter?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Everett ($2,679/mo), Arlington ($2,679/mo), Westborough ($2,679/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.