Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Chattanooga, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.
Chattanooga rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Chattanooga, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chattanooga
View full rent data for Chattanooga, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
Median rent in Chattanooga is $1,505 a month. A typical carpenter in Tennessee earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 32.2% 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 Chattanooga?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Tennessee (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Chattanooga's current median rent is $1,505/mo, which is $103/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Chattanooga?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Tennessee works roughly 55.8 hours a month to cover Chattanooga's median rent of $1,505.
Where is rent cheaper than Chattanooga for a carpenter?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Morristown ($1,502/mo), Cordova ($1,500/mo), Smithville ($1,500/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.