Can A Welder Afford Rent in Charleston, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 16.7% of gross income.
Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).
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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Charleston
View full rent data for Charleston, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Charleston, IL?
Median rent in Charleston is $730 a month. A typical welder in Illinois earns about $52,438 a year, which makes that rent 16.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a welder afford in Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Illinois (~$52,438/yr) supports up to $1,311 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $730/mo, which leaves a $581/mo buffer.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a welder in Illinois works roughly 29 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $730.
Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a welder?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Belleville ($724/mo), Carbondale ($679/mo), Belleville ($671/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.