Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Charlottesville, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.

Charlottesville rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Charlottesville median rent
$2,029/mo
Plumber salary (Virginia)
$68,442/yr
Rent as % of income
35.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,704, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,711/mo in rent. Charlottesville's median rent of $2,029 exceeds that threshold by $318/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 61.7 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 Charlottesville, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Suffolk, VA
$2,028/mo (35.6% of income)
Midlothian, VA
$2,028/mo (35.6% of income)
Glen Allen, VA
$2,027/mo (35.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Charlottesville

View full rent data for Charlottesville, VA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Charlottesville, VA?

Median rent in Charlottesville is $2,029 a month. A typical plumber in Virginia earns about $68,442 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Charlottesville?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Virginia (~$68,442/yr) supports up to $1,711 a month in rent. Charlottesville's current median rent is $2,029/mo, which is $318/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a plumber in Virginia works roughly 61.7 hours a month to cover Charlottesville's median rent of $2,029.

Where is rent cheaper than Charlottesville for a plumber?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Suffolk ($2,028/mo), Midlothian ($2,028/mo), Glen Allen ($2,027/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 Charlottesville, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.