Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Athens, TX?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.1% of gross income.

Athens rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Athens median rent
$1,168/mo
Plumber salary (Texas)
$66,429/yr
Rent as % of income
21.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,536, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,661/mo in rent. Athens's median rent of $1,168 leaves roughly $493/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 36.6 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

North Richland Hills, TX
$1,167/mo (21.1% of income)
Midland, TX
$1,165/mo (21% of income)
Freeport, TX
$1,164/mo (21% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Athens

View full rent data for Athens, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Athens, TX?

Median rent in Athens is $1,168 a month. A typical plumber in Texas earns about $66,429 a year, which makes that rent 21.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Athens?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Texas (~$66,429/yr) supports up to $1,661 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,168/mo, which leaves a $493/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a plumber in Texas works roughly 36.6 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,168.

Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a plumber?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include North Richland Hills ($1,167/mo), Midland ($1,165/mo), Freeport ($1,164/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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