Can A Welder Afford Rent in Cambridge, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 71.6% of gross income.
Cambridge rent: July 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 Cambridge, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cambridge
View full rent data for Cambridge, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Cambridge, MA?
Median rent in Cambridge is $3,559 a month. A typical welder in Massachusetts earns about $59,636 a year, which makes that rent 71.6% 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 Cambridge?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Massachusetts (~$59,636/yr) supports up to $1,491 a month in rent. Cambridge's current median rent is $3,559/mo, which is $2,068/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Cambridge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a welder in Massachusetts works roughly 124.1 hours a month to cover Cambridge's median rent of $3,559.
Where is rent cheaper than Cambridge for a welder?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Newton ($3,545/mo), Brookline ($3,541/mo), Newton ($3,528/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.