Can A Welder Afford Rent in Laurel, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34% of gross income.
Laurel rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Laurel, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laurel
View full rent data for Laurel, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Laurel, MT?
Median rent in Laurel is $1,282 a month. A typical welder in Montana earns about $45,241 a year, which makes that rent 34% 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 Laurel?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Montana (~$45,241/yr) supports up to $1,131 a month in rent. Laurel's current median rent is $1,282/mo, which is $151/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Laurel?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a welder in Montana works roughly 58.9 hours a month to cover Laurel's median rent of $1,282.
Where is rent cheaper than Laurel for a welder?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Missoula ($1,215/mo), Missoula ($1,020/mo), Billings ($1,014/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.