Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Salem, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.6% of gross income.
Salem rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).
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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Salem, VA?
Median rent in Salem is $1,574 a month. A typical plumber in Virginia earns about $68,442 a year, which makes that rent 27.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Virginia (~$68,442/yr) supports up to $1,711 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,574/mo, which leaves a $137/mo buffer.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a plumber in Virginia works roughly 47.8 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,574.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a plumber?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include East Highland Park ($1,572/mo), Lexington ($1,572/mo), Lexington ($1,572/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.