Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Yelm, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.5% of gross income.

Yelm rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Yelm median rent
$2,226/mo
Plumber salary (Washington)
$75,152/yr
Rent as % of income
35.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,263, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,879/mo in rent. Yelm's median rent of $2,226 exceeds that threshold by $347/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 61.6 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Yelm, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Monroe, WA
$2,225/mo (35.5% of income)
Issaquah, WA
$2,224/mo (35.5% of income)
Monroe, WA
$2,224/mo (35.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Yelm

View full rent data for Yelm, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Yelm, WA?

Median rent in Yelm is $2,226 a month. A typical plumber in Washington earns about $75,152 a year, which makes that rent 35.5% 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 Yelm?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Washington (~$75,152/yr) supports up to $1,879 a month in rent. Yelm's current median rent is $2,226/mo, which is $347/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a plumber in Washington works roughly 61.6 hours a month to cover Yelm's median rent of $2,226.

Where is rent cheaper than Yelm for a plumber?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Monroe ($2,225/mo), Issaquah ($2,224/mo), Monroe ($2,224/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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