Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Erie, PA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 20.6% of gross income.
Erie rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Erie, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Erie
View full rent data for Erie, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Erie, PA?
Median rent in Erie is $1,036 a month. A typical carpenter in Pennsylvania earns about $60,331 a year, which makes that rent 20.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Erie?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Pennsylvania (~$60,331/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Erie's current median rent is $1,036/mo, which leaves a $472/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Erie?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a carpenter in Pennsylvania works roughly 35.7 hours a month to cover Erie's median rent of $1,036.
Where is rent cheaper than Erie for a carpenter?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include McKeesport ($1,034/mo), New Castle ($1,032/mo), Williamsport ($1,032/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.