Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Emporia, KS?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.1% of gross income.

Emporia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas state estimate).

Emporia median rent
$860/mo
Plumber salary (Kansas)
$60,390/yr
Rent as % of income
17.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,033, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,510/mo in rent. Emporia's median rent of $860 leaves roughly $650/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 29.6 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Emporia, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Pittsburg, KS
$859/mo (17.1% of income)
Manhattan, KS
$855/mo (17% of income)
Hutchinson, KS
$853/mo (16.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Emporia

View full rent data for Emporia, KS

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Emporia, KS?

Median rent in Emporia is $860 a month. A typical plumber in Kansas earns about $60,390 a year, which makes that rent 17.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Emporia?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Kansas (~$60,390/yr) supports up to $1,510 a month in rent. Emporia's current median rent is $860/mo, which leaves a $650/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a plumber in Kansas works roughly 29.6 hours a month to cover Emporia's median rent of $860.

Where is rent cheaper than Emporia for a plumber?

Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Pittsburg ($859/mo), Manhattan ($855/mo), Hutchinson ($853/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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