Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Richmond, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.5% of gross income.
Richmond 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 Richmond, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Richmond
View full rent data for Richmond, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Richmond, VA?
Median rent in Richmond is $1,682 a month. A typical carpenter in Virginia earns about $62,159 a year, which makes that rent 32.5% 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 Richmond?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Virginia (~$62,159/yr) supports up to $1,554 a month in rent. Richmond's current median rent is $1,682/mo, which is $128/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Richmond?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Virginia works roughly 56.3 hours a month to cover Richmond's median rent of $1,682.
Where is rent cheaper than Richmond for a carpenter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Winchester ($1,681/mo), Christiansburg ($1,680/mo), East Highland Park ($1,680/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.