Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Saint Louis, MO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.9% of gross income.
Saint Louis rent: July 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 Saint Louis, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Saint Louis
View full rent data for Saint Louis, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Saint Louis, MO?
Median rent in Saint Louis is $1,352 a month. A typical carpenter in Missouri earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 28.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Saint Louis?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Missouri (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Saint Louis's current median rent is $1,352/mo, which leaves a $50/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Saint Louis?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Missouri works roughly 50.2 hours a month to cover Saint Louis's median rent of $1,352.
Where is rent cheaper than Saint Louis for a carpenter?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Ferguson ($1,351/mo), Hazelwood ($1,351/mo), Overland ($1,351/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.