Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Houston, TX?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.3% of gross income.

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

Houston median rent
$1,567/mo
Plumber salary (Texas)
$66,429/yr
Rent as % of income
28.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,536, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,661/mo in rent. Houston's median rent of $1,567 leaves roughly $94/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 49.1 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 Houston, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Carrollton, TX
$1,566/mo (28.3% of income)
Cinco Ranch, TX
$1,566/mo (28.3% of income)
Austin, TX
$1,566/mo (28.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Houston

View full rent data for Houston, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Houston, TX?

Median rent in Houston is $1,567 a month. A typical plumber in Texas earns about $66,429 a year, which makes that rent 28.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Houston?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Texas (~$66,429/yr) supports up to $1,661 a month in rent. Houston's current median rent is $1,567/mo, which leaves a $94/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a plumber in Texas works roughly 49.1 hours a month to cover Houston's median rent of $1,567.

Where is rent cheaper than Houston for a plumber?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Carrollton ($1,566/mo), Cinco Ranch ($1,566/mo), Austin ($1,566/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 Houston, TX. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.