Can A Welder Afford Rent in Memphis, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32% of gross income.
Memphis rent: July 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 Memphis, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Memphis
View full rent data for Memphis, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Memphis, TN?
Median rent in Memphis is $1,262 a month. A typical welder in Tennessee earns about $47,297 a year, which makes that rent 32% 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 Memphis?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Tennessee (~$47,297/yr) supports up to $1,182 a month in rent. Memphis's current median rent is $1,262/mo, which is $80/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Memphis?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Tennessee works roughly 55.5 hours a month to cover Memphis's median rent of $1,262.
Where is rent cheaper than Memphis for a welder?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Red Bank ($1,261/mo), Red Bank ($1,259/mo), Red Bank ($1,257/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.