Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Independence, OR?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.6% of gross income.

Independence rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon state estimate).

Independence median rent
$1,932/mo
Carpenter salary (Oregon)
$63,378/yr
Rent as % of income
36.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,282, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,584/mo in rent. Independence's median rent of $1,932 exceeds that threshold by $348/mo, putting a carpenter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A carpenter works roughly 63.4 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Independence, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

Oregon City, OR
$1,931/mo (36.6% of income)
Oregon City, OR
$1,930/mo (36.5% of income)
Hillsboro, OR
$1,930/mo (36.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Independence

View full rent data for Independence, OR →

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Independence, OR?

Median rent in Independence is $1,932 a month. A typical carpenter in Oregon earns about $63,378 a year, which makes that rent 36.6% 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 Independence?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Oregon (~$63,378/yr) supports up to $1,584 a month in rent. Independence's current median rent is $1,932/mo, which is $348/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Oregon works roughly 63.4 hours a month to cover Independence's median rent of $1,932.

Where is rent cheaper than Independence for a carpenter?

Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Oregon City ($1,931/mo), Oregon City ($1,930/mo), Hillsboro ($1,930/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

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