Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in El Paso, TX?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.3% of gross income.
El Paso rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than El Paso, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for El Paso
View full rent data for El Paso, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in El Paso, TX?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,521 a month. A typical carpenter in Texas earns about $60,331 a year, which makes that rent 30.3% 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 El Paso?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Texas (~$60,331/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. El Paso's current median rent is $1,521/mo, which is $13/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in El Paso?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a carpenter in Texas works roughly 52.4 hours a month to cover El Paso's median rent of $1,521.
Where is rent cheaper than El Paso for a carpenter?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include White Settlement ($1,520/mo), Baytown ($1,520/mo), Addison ($1,520/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.