Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Providence, RI?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.4% of gross income.

Providence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island state estimate).

Providence median rent
$2,293/mo
Plumber salary (Rhode Island)
$69,784/yr
Rent as % of income
39.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,815, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,745/mo in rent. Providence's median rent of $2,293 exceeds that threshold by $548/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 68.3 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Providence, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Bristol, RI
$2,284/mo (39.3% of income)
Bristol, RI
$2,283/mo (39.3% of income)
Bristol, RI
$2,282/mo (39.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Providence

View full rent data for Providence, RI

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Providence, RI?

Median rent in Providence is $2,293 a month. A typical plumber in Rhode Island earns about $69,784 a year, which makes that rent 39.4% 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 Providence?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Rhode Island (~$69,784/yr) supports up to $1,745 a month in rent. Providence's current median rent is $2,293/mo, which is $548/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a plumber in Rhode Island works roughly 68.3 hours a month to cover Providence's median rent of $2,293.

Where is rent cheaper than Providence for a plumber?

Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Bristol ($2,284/mo), Bristol ($2,283/mo), Bristol ($2,282/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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