Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Eau Claire, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.2% of gross income.
Eau Claire rent: June 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 Eau Claire, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Eau Claire
View full rent data for Eau Claire, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Eau Claire, WI?
Median rent in Eau Claire is $1,214 a month. A typical carpenter in Wisconsin earns about $57,893 a year, which makes that rent 25.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Eau Claire?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Wisconsin (~$57,893/yr) supports up to $1,447 a month in rent. Eau Claire's current median rent is $1,214/mo, which leaves a $233/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Eau Claire?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in Wisconsin works roughly 43.6 hours a month to cover Eau Claire's median rent of $1,214.
Where is rent cheaper than Eau Claire for a carpenter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Madison ($1,212/mo), Shorewood ($1,212/mo), Chippewa Falls ($1,211/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.