Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Graham, NC?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.1% of gross income.

Graham rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina state estimate).

Graham median rent
$1,295/mo
Carpenter salary (North Carolina)
$57,284/yr
Rent as % of income
27.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,774, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,432/mo in rent. Graham's median rent of $1,295 leaves roughly $137/mo of headroom under that threshold. A carpenter works roughly 47 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Graham, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

Burlington, NC
$1,294/mo (27.1% of income)
Burlington, NC
$1,294/mo (27.1% of income)
Rocky Mount, NC
$1,294/mo (27.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Graham

View full rent data for Graham, NC

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Graham, NC?

Median rent in Graham is $1,295 a month. A typical carpenter in North Carolina earns about $57,284 a year, which makes that rent 27.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a carpenter afford in Graham?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in North Carolina (~$57,284/yr) supports up to $1,432 a month in rent. Graham's current median rent is $1,295/mo, which leaves a $137/mo buffer.

How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Graham?

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in North Carolina works roughly 47 hours a month to cover Graham's median rent of $1,295.

Where is rent cheaper than Graham for a carpenter?

Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Burlington ($1,294/mo), Burlington ($1,294/mo), Rocky Mount ($1,294/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived North Carolina state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Graham, NC. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.