Can A Welder Afford Rent in Erie, PA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.7% of gross income.
Erie rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Erie, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Erie
View full rent data for Erie, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Erie, PA?
Median rent in Erie is $1,089 a month. A typical welder in Pennsylvania earns about $50,896 a year, which makes that rent 25.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a welder afford in Erie?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Pennsylvania (~$50,896/yr) supports up to $1,272 a month in rent. Erie's current median rent is $1,089/mo, which leaves a $183/mo buffer.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Erie?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a welder in Pennsylvania works roughly 44.5 hours a month to cover Erie's median rent of $1,089.
Where is rent cheaper than Erie for a welder?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Pittston ($1,088/mo), New Castle ($1,086/mo), Shippensburg ($1,085/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.