Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Fairmont, WV?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.1% of gross income.
Fairmont rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (West Virginia 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 West Virginia cities have lower median rent than Fairmont, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fairmont
View full rent data for Fairmont, WV →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Fairmont, WV?
Median rent in Fairmont is $1,258 a month. A typical carpenter in West Virginia earns about $51,799 a year, which makes that rent 29.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Fairmont?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in West Virginia (~$51,799/yr) supports up to $1,295 a month in rent. Fairmont's current median rent is $1,258/mo, which leaves a $37/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Fairmont?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a carpenter in West Virginia works roughly 50.5 hours a month to cover Fairmont's median rent of $1,258.
Where is rent cheaper than Fairmont for a carpenter?
Nearby West Virginia cities with lower median rent include Morgantown ($1,247/mo), Morgantown ($1,247/mo), Morgantown ($1,244/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.