Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Roanoke, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.9% of gross income.
Roanoke 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 Roanoke, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Roanoke
View full rent data for Roanoke, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Roanoke, VA?
Median rent in Roanoke is $1,394 a month. A typical carpenter in Virginia earns about $62,159 a year, which makes that rent 26.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Roanoke?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Virginia (~$62,159/yr) supports up to $1,554 a month in rent. Roanoke's current median rent is $1,394/mo, which leaves a $160/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Roanoke?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Virginia works roughly 46.6 hours a month to cover Roanoke's median rent of $1,394.
Where is rent cheaper than Roanoke for a carpenter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Waynesboro ($1,392/mo), Salem ($1,392/mo), Bristol ($1,390/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.