Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Lakewood, CA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.5% of gross income.

Lakewood rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Lakewood median rent
$3,401/mo
Plumber salary (California)
$79,178/yr
Rent as % of income
51.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,598, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,979/mo in rent. Lakewood's median rent of $3,401 exceeds that threshold by $1,422/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 89.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Lakewood, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Carlsbad, CA
$3,400/mo (51.5% of income)
Lafayette, CA
$3,400/mo (51.5% of income)
Watsonville, CA
$3,400/mo (51.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lakewood

View full rent data for Lakewood, CA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Lakewood, CA?

Median rent in Lakewood is $3,401 a month. A typical plumber in California earns about $79,178 a year, which makes that rent 51.5% 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 Lakewood?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in California (~$79,178/yr) supports up to $1,979 a month in rent. Lakewood's current median rent is $3,401/mo, which is $1,422/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Lakewood?

At an hourly equivalent of about $38 an hour, a plumber in California works roughly 89.3 hours a month to cover Lakewood's median rent of $3,401.

Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood for a plumber?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Carlsbad ($3,400/mo), Lafayette ($3,400/mo), Watsonville ($3,400/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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