Can A Plumber Afford Rent in New Orleans, LA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.2% of gross income.

New Orleans rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).

New Orleans median rent
$1,664/mo
Plumber salary (Louisiana)
$58,377/yr
Rent as % of income
34.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,865, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,459/mo in rent. New Orleans's median rent of $1,664 exceeds that threshold by $205/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 59.3 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 Louisiana cities have lower median rent than New Orleans, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Gonzales, LA
$1,662/mo (34.2% of income)
Metairie, LA
$1,662/mo (34.2% of income)
Metairie, LA
$1,660/mo (34.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for New Orleans

View full rent data for New Orleans, LA

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in New Orleans, LA?

Median rent in New Orleans is $1,664 a month. A typical plumber in Louisiana earns about $58,377 a year, which makes that rent 34.2% 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 New Orleans?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Louisiana (~$58,377/yr) supports up to $1,459 a month in rent. New Orleans's current median rent is $1,664/mo, which is $205/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a plumber in Louisiana works roughly 59.3 hours a month to cover New Orleans's median rent of $1,664.

Where is rent cheaper than New Orleans for a plumber?

Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Gonzales ($1,662/mo), Metairie ($1,662/mo), Metairie ($1,660/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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