Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Fargo, ND?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.1% of gross income.
Fargo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota 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 Dakota cities have lower median rent than Fargo, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fargo
View full rent data for Fargo, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Fargo, ND?
Median rent in Fargo is $1,088 a month. A typical carpenter in North Dakota earns about $59,112 a year, which makes that rent 22.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Fargo?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in North Dakota (~$59,112/yr) supports up to $1,478 a month in rent. Fargo's current median rent is $1,088/mo, which leaves a $390/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Fargo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in North Dakota works roughly 38.3 hours a month to cover Fargo's median rent of $1,088.
Where is rent cheaper than Fargo for a carpenter?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Minot ($1,086/mo), Mandan ($1,074/mo), Mandan ($1,060/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.