Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 87% of gross income.
Carmel-by-the-Sea rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Cheaper rent nearby
These California cities have lower median rent than Carmel-by-the-Sea, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carmel-by-the-Sea
View full rent data for Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?
Median rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $5,742 a month. A typical plumber in California earns about $79,178 a year, which makes that rent 87% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in California (~$79,178/yr) supports up to $1,979 a month in rent. Carmel-by-the-Sea's current median rent is $5,742/mo, which is $3,763/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $38 an hour, a plumber in California works roughly 150.8 hours a month to cover Carmel-by-the-Sea's median rent of $5,742.
Where is rent cheaper than Carmel-by-the-Sea for a plumber?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Los Altos ($5,734/mo), Saratoga ($5,728/mo), Saratoga ($5,723/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.