Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Northampton, MA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.7% of gross income.

Northampton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).

Northampton median rent
$2,477/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Massachusetts)
$66,468/yr
Rent as % of income
44.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,539, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,662/mo in rent. Northampton's median rent of $2,477 exceeds that threshold by $815/mo, putting a hvac technician salary into the rent-burdened range here. A hvac technician works roughly 77.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a hvac technician salary

HVAC technician pay sits near the US median household income and rises sharply with certification and overtime. At the national-average HVAC salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,433 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Northampton, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:

Winthrop, MA
$2,476/mo (44.7% of income)
Chelsea, MA
$2,476/mo (44.7% of income)
Gloucester, MA
$2,475/mo (44.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Northampton

View full rent data for Northampton, MA

Frequently asked questions

Can a hvac technician afford rent in Northampton, MA?

Median rent in Northampton is $2,477 a month. A typical hvac technician in Massachusetts earns about $66,468 a year, which makes that rent 44.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a hvac technician afford in Northampton?

Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Massachusetts (~$66,468/yr) supports up to $1,662 a month in rent. Northampton's current median rent is $2,477/mo, which is $815/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a hvac technician work to cover rent in Northampton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a hvac technician in Massachusetts works roughly 77.5 hours a month to cover Northampton's median rent of $2,477.

Where is rent cheaper than Northampton for a hvac technician?

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Winthrop ($2,476/mo), Chelsea ($2,476/mo), Gloucester ($2,475/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Massachusetts state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Northampton, MA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.