Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Ottawa, IL?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.4% of gross income.

Ottawa rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).

Ottawa median rent
$1,391/mo
Plumber salary (Illinois)
$68,442/yr
Rent as % of income
24.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,704, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,711/mo in rent. Ottawa's median rent of $1,391 leaves roughly $320/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 42.3 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Ottawa, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Swansea, IL
$1,390/mo (24.4% of income)
Saint Charles, IL
$1,390/mo (24.4% of income)
Cahokia, IL
$1,390/mo (24.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Ottawa

View full rent data for Ottawa, IL

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Ottawa, IL?

Median rent in Ottawa is $1,391 a month. A typical plumber in Illinois earns about $68,442 a year, which makes that rent 24.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Ottawa?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Illinois (~$68,442/yr) supports up to $1,711 a month in rent. Ottawa's current median rent is $1,391/mo, which leaves a $320/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a plumber in Illinois works roughly 42.3 hours a month to cover Ottawa's median rent of $1,391.

Where is rent cheaper than Ottawa for a plumber?

Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Swansea ($1,390/mo), Saint Charles ($1,390/mo), Cahokia ($1,390/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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