Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Surf City, NC?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.1% of gross income.

Surf City rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina state estimate).

Surf City median rent
$2,265/mo
Plumber salary (North Carolina)
$63,074/yr
Rent as % of income
43.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,256, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,577/mo in rent. Surf City's median rent of $2,265 exceeds that threshold by $688/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 74.7 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Surf City, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Waxhaw, NC
$2,263/mo (43.1% of income)
Advance, NC
$2,262/mo (43% of income)
Waxhaw, NC
$2,261/mo (43% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Surf City

View full rent data for Surf City, NC

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Surf City, NC?

Median rent in Surf City is $2,265 a month. A typical plumber in North Carolina earns about $63,074 a year, which makes that rent 43.1% 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 Surf City?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in North Carolina (~$63,074/yr) supports up to $1,577 a month in rent. Surf City's current median rent is $2,265/mo, which is $688/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in North Carolina works roughly 74.7 hours a month to cover Surf City's median rent of $2,265.

Where is rent cheaper than Surf City for a plumber?

Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Waxhaw ($2,263/mo), Advance ($2,262/mo), Waxhaw ($2,261/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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