Can A Welder Afford Rent in Fairfax, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.2% of gross income.
Fairfax rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Fairfax, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fairfax
View full rent data for Fairfax, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Fairfax, VA?
Median rent in Fairfax is $2,458 a month. A typical welder in Virginia earns about $52,438 a year, which makes that rent 56.2% 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 Fairfax?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Virginia (~$52,438/yr) supports up to $1,311 a month in rent. Fairfax's current median rent is $2,458/mo, which is $1,147/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Fairfax?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a welder in Virginia works roughly 97.5 hours a month to cover Fairfax's median rent of $2,458.
Where is rent cheaper than Fairfax for a welder?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Reston ($2,456/mo), Falls Church ($2,456/mo), Reston ($2,451/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.