Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Kelso, WA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.3% of gross income.
Kelso rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Kelso, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kelso
View full rent data for Kelso, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Kelso, WA?
Median rent in Kelso is $1,553 a month. A typical carpenter in Washington earns about $68,253 a year, which makes that rent 27.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Kelso?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Washington (~$68,253/yr) supports up to $1,706 a month in rent. Kelso's current median rent is $1,553/mo, which leaves a $153/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Kelso?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a carpenter in Washington works roughly 47.3 hours a month to cover Kelso's median rent of $1,553.
Where is rent cheaper than Kelso for a carpenter?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Moses Lake ($1,552/mo), Moses Lake ($1,552/mo), Moses Lake ($1,552/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.