Can A Welder Afford Rent in Scranton, PA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31% of gross income.
Scranton 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 Scranton, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Scranton
View full rent data for Scranton, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Scranton, PA?
Median rent in Scranton is $1,314 a month. A typical welder in Pennsylvania earns about $50,896 a year, which makes that rent 31% 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 Scranton?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Pennsylvania (~$50,896/yr) supports up to $1,272 a month in rent. Scranton's current median rent is $1,314/mo, which is $42/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Scranton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a welder in Pennsylvania works roughly 53.7 hours a month to cover Scranton's median rent of $1,314.
Where is rent cheaper than Scranton for a welder?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Bangor ($1,313/mo), Bethel Park ($1,313/mo), Aliquippa ($1,312/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.