Can A Welder Afford Rent in Northampton, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.8% of gross income.
Northampton rent: June 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 Northampton, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Northampton
View full rent data for Northampton, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Northampton, MA?
Median rent in Northampton is $2,477 a month. A typical welder in Massachusetts earns about $59,636 a year, which makes that rent 49.8% 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 Northampton?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Massachusetts (~$59,636/yr) supports up to $1,491 a month in rent. Northampton's current median rent is $2,477/mo, which is $986/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Northampton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a welder in Massachusetts works roughly 86.4 hours a month to cover Northampton's median rent of $2,477.
Where is rent cheaper than Northampton for a welder?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Winthrop ($2,476/mo), Chelsea ($2,476/mo), Gloucester ($2,475/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.