Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Athens, TX?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.2% of gross income.

Athens rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Athens median rent
$1,168/mo
Carpenter salary (Texas)
$60,331/yr
Rent as % of income
23.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,028, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,508/mo in rent. Athens's median rent of $1,168 leaves roughly $340/mo of headroom under that threshold. A carpenter works roughly 40.3 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

North Richland Hills, TX
$1,167/mo (23.2% of income)
Midland, TX
$1,165/mo (23.2% of income)
Freeport, TX
$1,164/mo (23.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Athens

View full rent data for Athens, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Athens, TX?

Median rent in Athens is $1,168 a month. A typical carpenter in Texas earns about $60,331 a year, which makes that rent 23.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a carpenter afford in Athens?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Texas (~$60,331/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,168/mo, which leaves a $340/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a carpenter in Texas works roughly 40.3 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,168.

Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a carpenter?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include North Richland Hills ($1,167/mo), Midland ($1,165/mo), Freeport ($1,164/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

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