Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Sterling, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.5% of gross income.
Sterling 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 Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling
View full rent data for Sterling, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Sterling, VA?
Median rent in Sterling is $2,718 a month. A typical carpenter in Virginia earns about $62,159 a year, which makes that rent 52.5% 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 Sterling?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Virginia (~$62,159/yr) supports up to $1,554 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $2,718/mo, which is $1,164/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Sterling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a carpenter in Virginia works roughly 91 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $2,718.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a carpenter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Springfield ($2,716/mo), Ashburn ($2,715/mo), Ashburn ($2,707/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.