Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Gary, IN?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.6% of gross income.

Gary rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Indiana state estimate).

Gary median rent
$1,366/mo
Plumber salary (Indiana)
$61,732/yr
Rent as % of income
26.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,144, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,543/mo in rent. Gary's median rent of $1,366 leaves roughly $177/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 46 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 Indiana cities have lower median rent than Gary, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Columbus, IN
$1,365/mo (26.5% of income)
Hammond, IN
$1,364/mo (26.5% of income)
Columbus, IN
$1,364/mo (26.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Gary

View full rent data for Gary, IN

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Gary, IN?

Median rent in Gary is $1,366 a month. A typical plumber in Indiana earns about $61,732 a year, which makes that rent 26.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Gary?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Indiana (~$61,732/yr) supports up to $1,543 a month in rent. Gary's current median rent is $1,366/mo, which leaves a $177/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Indiana works roughly 46 hours a month to cover Gary's median rent of $1,366.

Where is rent cheaper than Gary for a plumber?

Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Columbus ($1,365/mo), Hammond ($1,364/mo), Columbus ($1,364/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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