Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Arlington, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.4% of gross income.

Arlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Arlington median rent
$2,183/mo
Carpenter salary (Washington)
$68,253/yr
Rent as % of income
38.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,688, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,706/mo in rent. Arlington's median rent of $2,183 exceeds that threshold by $477/mo, putting a carpenter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A carpenter works roughly 66.5 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

Puyallup, WA
$2,182/mo (38.4% of income)
Battle Ground, WA
$2,181/mo (38.3% of income)
Edmonds, WA
$2,180/mo (38.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Arlington

View full rent data for Arlington, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Arlington, WA?

Median rent in Arlington is $2,183 a month. A typical carpenter in Washington earns about $68,253 a year, which makes that rent 38.4% 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 Arlington?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Washington (~$68,253/yr) supports up to $1,706 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $2,183/mo, which is $477/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a carpenter in Washington works roughly 66.5 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $2,183.

Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for a carpenter?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Puyallup ($2,182/mo), Battle Ground ($2,181/mo), Edmonds ($2,180/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

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