Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Columbus, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.
Columbus rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Mississippi 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 Mississippi cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Columbus, MS?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,326 a month. A typical carpenter in Mississippi earns about $49,361 a year, which makes that rent 32.2% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Mississippi (~$49,361/yr) supports up to $1,234 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,326/mo, which is $92/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a carpenter in Mississippi works roughly 55.9 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,326.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a carpenter?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Gautier ($1,324/mo), Hattiesburg ($1,321/mo), Biloxi ($1,318/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.