Can A Welder Afford Rent in Emporia, KS?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.3% of gross income.
Emporia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Emporia, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Emporia
View full rent data for Emporia, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Emporia, KS?
Median rent in Emporia is $860 a month. A typical welder in Kansas earns about $46,269 a year, which makes that rent 22.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a welder afford in Emporia?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Kansas (~$46,269/yr) supports up to $1,157 a month in rent. Emporia's current median rent is $860/mo, which leaves a $297/mo buffer.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Emporia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a welder in Kansas works roughly 38.7 hours a month to cover Emporia's median rent of $860.
Where is rent cheaper than Emporia for a welder?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Pittsburg ($859/mo), Manhattan ($855/mo), Hutchinson ($853/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.