Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Chelsea, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.6% of gross income.
Chelsea 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 Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Chelsea, MA?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,628 a month. A typical carpenter in Massachusetts earns about $70,690 a year, which makes that rent 44.6% 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 Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Massachusetts (~$70,690/yr) supports up to $1,767 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,628/mo, which is $861/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a carpenter in Massachusetts works roughly 77.3 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,628.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for a carpenter?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Wakefield ($2,627/mo), Randolph ($2,627/mo), Gloucester ($2,626/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.