Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Manchester, NH?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.3% of gross income.

Manchester rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Hampshire state estimate).

Manchester median rent
$2,058/mo
Carpenter salary (New Hampshire)
$62,768/yr
Rent as % of income
39.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,231, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,569/mo in rent. Manchester's median rent of $2,058 exceeds that threshold by $489/mo, putting a carpenter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A carpenter works roughly 68.2 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 New Hampshire cities have lower median rent than Manchester, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

Derry, NH
$2,057/mo (39.3% of income)
Derry, NH
$2,056/mo (39.3% of income)
Rochester, NH
$2,053/mo (39.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Manchester

View full rent data for Manchester, NH

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Manchester, NH?

Median rent in Manchester is $2,058 a month. A typical carpenter in New Hampshire earns about $62,768 a year, which makes that rent 39.3% 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 Manchester?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in New Hampshire (~$62,768/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Manchester's current median rent is $2,058/mo, which is $489/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in New Hampshire works roughly 68.2 hours a month to cover Manchester's median rent of $2,058.

Where is rent cheaper than Manchester for a carpenter?

Nearby New Hampshire cities with lower median rent include Derry ($2,057/mo), Derry ($2,056/mo), Rochester ($2,053/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

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