Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Kelso, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29% of gross income.

Kelso rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Kelso median rent
$1,553/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Washington)
$64,176/yr
Rent as % of income
29%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,348, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,604/mo in rent. Kelso's median rent of $1,553 leaves roughly $51/mo of headroom under that threshold. A hvac technician works roughly 50.3 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Kelso, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:

Moses Lake, WA
$1,552/mo (29% of income)
Moses Lake, WA
$1,552/mo (29% of income)
Moses Lake, WA
$1,552/mo (29% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Kelso

View full rent data for Kelso, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a hvac technician afford rent in Kelso, WA?

Median rent in Kelso is $1,553 a month. A typical hvac technician in Washington earns about $64,176 a year, which makes that rent 29% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a hvac technician afford in Kelso?

Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Washington (~$64,176/yr) supports up to $1,604 a month in rent. Kelso's current median rent is $1,553/mo, which leaves a $51/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a hvac technician in Washington works roughly 50.3 hours a month to cover Kelso's median rent of $1,553.

Where is rent cheaper than Kelso for a hvac technician?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Moses Lake ($1,552/mo), Moses Lake ($1,552/mo), Moses Lake ($1,552/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.

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