Can A Welder Afford Rent in Topeka, KS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.4% of gross income.
Topeka rent: July 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 Topeka, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Topeka
View full rent data for Topeka, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Topeka, KS?
Median rent in Topeka is $1,287 a month. A typical welder in Kansas earns about $46,269 a year, which makes that rent 33.4% 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 Topeka?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Kansas (~$46,269/yr) supports up to $1,157 a month in rent. Topeka's current median rent is $1,287/mo, which is $130/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Topeka?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a welder in Kansas works roughly 57.9 hours a month to cover Topeka's median rent of $1,287.
Where is rent cheaper than Topeka for a welder?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Lawrence ($1,286/mo), Kansas City ($1,274/mo), Leavenworth ($1,273/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.