Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Fairfax, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.5% of gross income.
Fairfax rent: June 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 Fairfax, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fairfax
View full rent data for Fairfax, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Fairfax, VA?
Median rent in Fairfax is $2,458 a month. A typical carpenter in Virginia earns about $62,159 a year, which makes that rent 47.5% 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 Fairfax?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Virginia (~$62,159/yr) supports up to $1,554 a month in rent. Fairfax's current median rent is $2,458/mo, which is $904/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Fairfax?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Virginia works roughly 82.3 hours a month to cover Fairfax's median rent of $2,458.
Where is rent cheaper than Fairfax for a carpenter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Reston ($2,456/mo), Falls Church ($2,456/mo), Reston ($2,451/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.