Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Bristol, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.3% of gross income.
Bristol rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Bristol, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bristol
View full rent data for Bristol, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Bristol, VA?
Median rent in Bristol is $1,310 a month. A typical carpenter in Virginia earns about $62,159 a year, which makes that rent 25.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Bristol?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Virginia (~$62,159/yr) supports up to $1,554 a month in rent. Bristol's current median rent is $1,310/mo, which leaves a $244/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Bristol?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Virginia works roughly 43.8 hours a month to cover Bristol's median rent of $1,310.
Where is rent cheaper than Bristol for a carpenter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Waynesboro ($1,309/mo), Roanoke ($1,309/mo), Lynchburg ($1,309/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.