Can A Welder Afford Rent in South Tucson, AZ?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.

South Tucson rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona state estimate).

South Tucson median rent
$1,573/mo
Welder salary (Arizona)
$49,868/yr
Rent as % of income
37.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,156, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,247/mo in rent. South Tucson's median rent of $1,573 exceeds that threshold by $326/mo, putting a welder salary into the rent-burdened range here. A welder works roughly 65.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a welder salary

Welder pay tracks the US median household income closely. Pipeline and underwater welders earn materially more. At the national-average welder salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,285 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Arizona cities have lower median rent than South Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:

Phoenix, AZ
$1,572/mo (37.8% of income)
Phoenix, AZ
$1,571/mo (37.8% of income)
Coolidge, AZ
$1,569/mo (37.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South Tucson

View full rent data for South Tucson, AZ →

Frequently asked questions

Can a welder afford rent in South Tucson, AZ?

Median rent in South Tucson is $1,573 a month. A typical welder in Arizona earns about $49,868 a year, which makes that rent 37.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a welder afford in South Tucson?

Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Arizona (~$49,868/yr) supports up to $1,247 a month in rent. South Tucson's current median rent is $1,573/mo, which is $326/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in South Tucson?

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a welder in Arizona works roughly 65.6 hours a month to cover South Tucson's median rent of $1,573.

Where is rent cheaper than South Tucson for a welder?

Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Phoenix ($1,572/mo), Phoenix ($1,571/mo), Coolidge ($1,569/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.

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