Can A Welder Afford Rent in Smithfield, NC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.7% of gross income.
Smithfield rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Smithfield, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Smithfield
View full rent data for Smithfield, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Smithfield, NC?
Median rent in Smithfield is $1,640 a month. A typical welder in North Carolina earns about $48,325 a year, which makes that rent 40.7% 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 Smithfield?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in North Carolina (~$48,325/yr) supports up to $1,208 a month in rent. Smithfield's current median rent is $1,640/mo, which is $432/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Smithfield?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in North Carolina works roughly 70.6 hours a month to cover Smithfield's median rent of $1,640.
Where is rent cheaper than Smithfield for a welder?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Morrisville ($1,639/mo), Newport ($1,638/mo), Leland ($1,638/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.