Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Appleton, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.6% of gross income.
Appleton rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Appleton, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Appleton
View full rent data for Appleton, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Appleton, WI?
Median rent in Appleton is $1,185 a month. A typical carpenter in Wisconsin earns about $57,893 a year, which makes that rent 24.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Appleton?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Wisconsin (~$57,893/yr) supports up to $1,447 a month in rent. Appleton's current median rent is $1,185/mo, which leaves a $262/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Appleton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in Wisconsin works roughly 42.6 hours a month to cover Appleton's median rent of $1,185.
Where is rent cheaper than Appleton for a carpenter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Watertown ($1,184/mo), Racine ($1,184/mo), Fond du Lac ($1,183/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.