Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Worcester, MA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.1% of gross income.

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

Worcester median rent
$2,164/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Massachusetts)
$66,468/yr
Rent as % of income
39.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,539, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,662/mo in rent. Worcester's median rent of $2,164 exceeds that threshold by $502/mo, putting a hvac technician salary into the rent-burdened range here. A hvac technician works roughly 67.7 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 Worcester, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:

Brockton, MA
$2,163/mo (39.1% of income)
Attleboro, MA
$2,152/mo (38.9% of income)
Taunton, MA
$2,151/mo (38.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Worcester

View full rent data for Worcester, MA

Frequently asked questions

Can a hvac technician afford rent in Worcester, MA?

Median rent in Worcester is $2,164 a month. A typical hvac technician in Massachusetts earns about $66,468 a year, which makes that rent 39.1% 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 Worcester?

Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Massachusetts (~$66,468/yr) supports up to $1,662 a month in rent. Worcester's current median rent is $2,164/mo, which is $502/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a hvac technician in Massachusetts works roughly 67.7 hours a month to cover Worcester's median rent of $2,164.

Where is rent cheaper than Worcester for a hvac technician?

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Brockton ($2,163/mo), Attleboro ($2,152/mo), Taunton ($2,151/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 Worcester, MA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.