Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Staunton, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.

Staunton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Staunton median rent
$1,581/mo
Carpenter salary (Virginia)
$62,159/yr
Rent as % of income
30.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,180, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,554/mo in rent. Staunton's median rent of $1,581 exceeds that threshold by $27/mo, putting a carpenter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A carpenter works roughly 52.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Staunton, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

East Highland Park, VA
$1,580/mo (30.5% of income)
Farmville, VA
$1,580/mo (30.5% of income)
Newport News, VA
$1,579/mo (30.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Staunton

View full rent data for Staunton, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Staunton, VA?

Median rent in Staunton is $1,581 a month. A typical carpenter in Virginia earns about $62,159 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Staunton?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Virginia (~$62,159/yr) supports up to $1,554 a month in rent. Staunton's current median rent is $1,581/mo, which is $27/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Staunton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Virginia works roughly 52.9 hours a month to cover Staunton's median rent of $1,581.

Where is rent cheaper than Staunton for a carpenter?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include East Highland Park ($1,580/mo), Farmville ($1,580/mo), Newport News ($1,579/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Virginia state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Staunton, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.