Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27% of gross income.
Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilkes-Barre
View full rent data for Wilkes-Barre, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Median rent in Wilkes-Barre is $1,358 a month. A typical carpenter in Pennsylvania earns about $60,331 a year, which makes that rent 27% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Wilkes-Barre?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Pennsylvania (~$60,331/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Wilkes-Barre's current median rent is $1,358/mo, which leaves a $150/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Wilkes-Barre?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a carpenter in Pennsylvania works roughly 46.8 hours a month to cover Wilkes-Barre's median rent of $1,358.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilkes-Barre for a carpenter?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Hanover ($1,356/mo), Harrisburg ($1,355/mo), Munhall ($1,353/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.