Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Cleveland, OH?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.5% of gross income.

Cleveland rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio state estimate).

Cleveland median rent
$1,359/mo
Carpenter salary (Ohio)
$57,284/yr
Rent as % of income
28.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,774, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,432/mo in rent. Cleveland's median rent of $1,359 leaves roughly $73/mo of headroom under that threshold. A carpenter works roughly 49.3 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Cleveland, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

Mayfield Heights, OH
$1,358/mo (28.4% of income)
Troy, OH
$1,357/mo (28.4% of income)
Xenia, OH
$1,357/mo (28.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Cleveland

View full rent data for Cleveland, OH →

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Cleveland, OH?

Median rent in Cleveland is $1,359 a month. A typical carpenter in Ohio earns about $57,284 a year, which makes that rent 28.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a carpenter afford in Cleveland?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Ohio (~$57,284/yr) supports up to $1,432 a month in rent. Cleveland's current median rent is $1,359/mo, which leaves a $73/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in Ohio works roughly 49.3 hours a month to cover Cleveland's median rent of $1,359.

Where is rent cheaper than Cleveland for a carpenter?

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Mayfield Heights ($1,358/mo), Troy ($1,357/mo), Xenia ($1,357/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

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