Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Arlington, VA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.7% of gross income.

Arlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Arlington median rent
$2,722/mo
Plumber salary (Virginia)
$68,442/yr
Rent as % of income
47.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,704, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,711/mo in rent. Arlington's median rent of $2,722 exceeds that threshold by $1,011/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 82.7 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Sterling, VA
$2,718/mo (47.7% of income)
Springfield, VA
$2,716/mo (47.6% of income)
Ashburn, VA
$2,715/mo (47.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Arlington

View full rent data for Arlington, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Arlington, VA?

Median rent in Arlington is $2,722 a month. A typical plumber in Virginia earns about $68,442 a year, which makes that rent 47.7% 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 Arlington?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Virginia (~$68,442/yr) supports up to $1,711 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $2,722/mo, which is $1,011/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a plumber in Virginia works roughly 82.7 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $2,722.

Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for a plumber?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Sterling ($2,718/mo), Springfield ($2,716/mo), Ashburn ($2,715/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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