Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Salem, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.7% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Salem, VA?
Median rent in Salem is $1,536 a month. A typical carpenter in Virginia earns about $62,159 a year, which makes that rent 29.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Virginia (~$62,159/yr) supports up to $1,554 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,536/mo, which leaves a $18/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Virginia works roughly 51.4 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,536.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a carpenter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Waynesboro ($1,534/mo), Colonial Heights ($1,533/mo), Portsmouth ($1,533/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.