Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Houston, TX?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31% of gross income.
Houston rent: July 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 Houston, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Houston
View full rent data for Houston, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Houston, TX?
Median rent in Houston is $1,561 a month. A typical carpenter in Texas earns about $60,331 a year, which makes that rent 31% 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 Houston?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Texas (~$60,331/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Houston's current median rent is $1,561/mo, which is $53/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Houston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a carpenter in Texas works roughly 53.8 hours a month to cover Houston's median rent of $1,561.
Where is rent cheaper than Houston for a carpenter?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Midland ($1,560/mo), Forney ($1,560/mo), Marble Falls ($1,560/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.