Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Rolla, MO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.7% of gross income.
Rolla rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Rolla, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rolla
View full rent data for Rolla, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Rolla, MO?
Median rent in Rolla is $828 a month. A typical carpenter in Missouri earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 17.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Rolla?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Missouri (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Rolla's current median rent is $828/mo, which leaves a $574/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Rolla?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Missouri works roughly 30.7 hours a month to cover Rolla's median rent of $828.
Where is rent cheaper than Rolla for a carpenter?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Springfield ($822/mo), Kirksville ($806/mo), Maryville ($774/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.