Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Billings, MT?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.6% of gross income.

Billings rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).

Billings median rent
$1,458/mo
Plumber salary (Montana)
$59,048/yr
Rent as % of income
29.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,921, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,476/mo in rent. Billings's median rent of $1,458 leaves roughly $18/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 51.4 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Billings, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Helena, MT
$1,457/mo (29.6% of income)
Missoula, MT
$1,456/mo (29.6% of income)
Missoula, MT
$1,452/mo (29.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Billings

View full rent data for Billings, MT

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Billings, MT?

Median rent in Billings is $1,458 a month. A typical plumber in Montana earns about $59,048 a year, which makes that rent 29.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Billings?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Montana (~$59,048/yr) supports up to $1,476 a month in rent. Billings's current median rent is $1,458/mo, which leaves a $18/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a plumber in Montana works roughly 51.4 hours a month to cover Billings's median rent of $1,458.

Where is rent cheaper than Billings for a plumber?

Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,457/mo), Missoula ($1,456/mo), Missoula ($1,452/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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