Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Portsmouth, NH?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.8% of gross income.
Portsmouth rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire cities have lower median rent than Portsmouth, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portsmouth
View full rent data for Portsmouth, NH →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Portsmouth, NH?
Median rent in Portsmouth is $2,920 a month. A typical carpenter in New Hampshire earns about $62,768 a year, which makes that rent 55.8% 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 Portsmouth?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in New Hampshire (~$62,768/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $2,920/mo, which is $1,351/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Portsmouth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in New Hampshire works roughly 96.8 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $2,920.
Where is rent cheaper than Portsmouth for a carpenter?
Nearby New Hampshire cities with lower median rent include Bedford ($2,908/mo), Bedford ($2,899/mo), Salem ($2,895/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.