Can A Welder Afford Rent in Knoxville, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44% of gross income.
Knoxville rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Knoxville, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Knoxville
View full rent data for Knoxville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Knoxville, TN?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,735 a month. A typical welder in Tennessee earns about $47,297 a year, which makes that rent 44% 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 Knoxville?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Tennessee (~$47,297/yr) supports up to $1,182 a month in rent. Knoxville's current median rent is $1,735/mo, which is $553/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Knoxville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Tennessee works roughly 76.3 hours a month to cover Knoxville's median rent of $1,735.
Where is rent cheaper than Knoxville for a welder?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Goodlettsville ($1,733/mo), Alcoa ($1,732/mo), Lenoir City ($1,732/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.