Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Scranton, PA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.2% of gross income.
Scranton 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 Scranton, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Scranton
View full rent data for Scranton, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Scranton, PA?
Median rent in Scranton is $1,315 a month. A typical carpenter in Pennsylvania earns about $60,331 a year, which makes that rent 26.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Scranton?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Pennsylvania (~$60,331/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Scranton's current median rent is $1,315/mo, which leaves a $193/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Scranton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a carpenter in Pennsylvania works roughly 45.3 hours a month to cover Scranton's median rent of $1,315.
Where is rent cheaper than Scranton for a carpenter?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Allison Park ($1,314/mo), Bethel Park ($1,314/mo), Ephrata ($1,314/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.