Can A Welder Afford Rent in Oak Park, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.8% of gross income.
Oak Park rent: September 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 Oak Park, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Park
View full rent data for Oak Park, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Oak Park, IL?
Median rent in Oak Park is $2,044 a month. A typical welder in Illinois earns about $52,438 a year, which makes that rent 46.8% 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 Oak Park?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Illinois (~$52,438/yr) supports up to $1,311 a month in rent. Oak Park's current median rent is $2,044/mo, which is $733/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Oak Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a welder in Illinois works roughly 81.1 hours a month to cover Oak Park's median rent of $2,044.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Park for a welder?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Lombard ($2,042/mo), Schaumburg ($2,041/mo), Romeoville ($2,041/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.