Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Durham, NC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Durham rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Durham, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Durham
View full rent data for Durham, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Durham, NC?
Median rent in Durham is $1,700 a month. A typical carpenter in North Carolina earns about $57,284 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Durham?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in North Carolina (~$57,284/yr) supports up to $1,432 a month in rent. Durham's current median rent is $1,700/mo, which is $268/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Durham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in North Carolina works roughly 61.7 hours a month to cover Durham's median rent of $1,700.
Where is rent cheaper than Durham for a carpenter?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Knightdale ($1,699/mo), Chapel Hill ($1,699/mo), Morehead City ($1,699/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.