Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Salem, NH?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.5% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, NH →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Salem, NH?
Median rent in Salem is $2,591 a month. A typical carpenter in New Hampshire earns about $62,768 a year, which makes that rent 49.5% 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 Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in New Hampshire (~$62,768/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $2,591/mo, which is $1,022/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in New Hampshire works roughly 85.9 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $2,591.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a carpenter?
Nearby New Hampshire cities with lower median rent include Portsmouth ($2,590/mo), Portsmouth ($2,590/mo), Portsmouth ($2,585/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.