Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Waseca, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.7% of gross income.
Waseca rent: January 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Waseca, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waseca
View full rent data for Waseca, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Waseca, MN?
Median rent in Waseca is $990 a month. A typical carpenter in Minnesota earns about $63,378 a year, which makes that rent 18.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Waseca?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Minnesota (~$63,378/yr) supports up to $1,584 a month in rent. Waseca's current median rent is $990/mo, which leaves a $594/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Waseca?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Minnesota works roughly 32.5 hours a month to cover Waseca's median rent of $990.
Where is rent cheaper than Waseca for a carpenter?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Austin ($988/mo), Austin ($969/mo), Albert Lea ($963/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.