Can A Welder Afford Rent in Amherst, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.3% of gross income.
Amherst rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Amherst, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Amherst
View full rent data for Amherst, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Amherst, MA?
Median rent in Amherst is $2,999 a month. A typical welder in Massachusetts earns about $59,636 a year, which makes that rent 60.3% 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 Amherst?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Massachusetts (~$59,636/yr) supports up to $1,491 a month in rent. Amherst's current median rent is $2,999/mo, which is $1,508/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Amherst?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a welder in Massachusetts works roughly 104.6 hours a month to cover Amherst's median rent of $2,999.
Where is rent cheaper than Amherst for a welder?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Concord ($2,993/mo), Canton ($2,993/mo), Westford ($2,991/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.