Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Somerville, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.2% of gross income.
Somerville 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 Somerville, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Somerville
View full rent data for Somerville, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Somerville, MA?
Median rent in Somerville is $3,428 a month. A typical carpenter in Massachusetts earns about $70,690 a year, which makes that rent 58.2% 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 Somerville?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Massachusetts (~$70,690/yr) supports up to $1,767 a month in rent. Somerville's current median rent is $3,428/mo, which is $1,661/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Somerville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a carpenter in Massachusetts works roughly 100.9 hours a month to cover Somerville's median rent of $3,428.
Where is rent cheaper than Somerville for a carpenter?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Cambridge ($3,418/mo), Hingham ($3,416/mo), Hingham ($3,413/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.