Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Laurel, MT?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.7% of gross income.
Laurel rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Laurel, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laurel
View full rent data for Laurel, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Laurel, MT?
Median rent in Laurel is $1,282 a month. A typical carpenter in Montana earns about $53,627 a year, which makes that rent 28.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Laurel?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Montana (~$53,627/yr) supports up to $1,341 a month in rent. Laurel's current median rent is $1,282/mo, which leaves a $59/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Laurel?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a carpenter in Montana works roughly 49.7 hours a month to cover Laurel's median rent of $1,282.
Where is rent cheaper than Laurel for a carpenter?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Missoula ($1,215/mo), Missoula ($1,020/mo), Billings ($1,014/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.