Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Wausau, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 19.8% of gross income.
Wausau 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 Wausau, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wausau
View full rent data for Wausau, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Wausau, WI?
Median rent in Wausau is $954 a month. A typical carpenter in Wisconsin earns about $57,893 a year, which makes that rent 19.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Wausau?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Wisconsin (~$57,893/yr) supports up to $1,447 a month in rent. Wausau's current median rent is $954/mo, which leaves a $493/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Wausau?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in Wisconsin works roughly 34.3 hours a month to cover Wausau's median rent of $954.
Where is rent cheaper than Wausau for a carpenter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Wisconsin Rapids ($947/mo), Manitowoc ($942/mo), West Allis ($937/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.