Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Lacey, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 38% of gross income.

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

Lacey median rent
$2,163/mo
Carpenter salary (Washington)
$68,253/yr
Rent as % of income
38%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,688, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,706/mo in rent. Lacey's median rent of $2,163 exceeds that threshold by $457/mo, putting a carpenter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A carpenter works roughly 65.9 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Lacey, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

Milton, WA
$2,162/mo (38% of income)
Battle Ground, WA
$2,162/mo (38% of income)
Camas, WA
$2,162/mo (38% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lacey

View full rent data for Lacey, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Lacey, WA?

Median rent in Lacey is $2,163 a month. A typical carpenter in Washington earns about $68,253 a year, which makes that rent 38% 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 Lacey?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Washington (~$68,253/yr) supports up to $1,706 a month in rent. Lacey's current median rent is $2,163/mo, which is $457/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a carpenter in Washington works roughly 65.9 hours a month to cover Lacey's median rent of $2,163.

Where is rent cheaper than Lacey for a carpenter?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Milton ($2,162/mo), Battle Ground ($2,162/mo), Camas ($2,162/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 Lacey, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.