Can A Welder Afford Rent in Newport News, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.

Newport News rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Newport News median rent
$1,587/mo
Welder salary (Virginia)
$52,438/yr
Rent as % of income
36.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,370, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,311/mo in rent. Newport News's median rent of $1,587 exceeds that threshold by $276/mo, putting a welder salary into the rent-burdened range here. A welder works roughly 62.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Newport News, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:

Hampton, VA
$1,585/mo (36.3% of income)
Hampton, VA
$1,585/mo (36.3% of income)
Hampton, VA
$1,581/mo (36.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Newport News

View full rent data for Newport News, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a welder afford rent in Newport News, VA?

Median rent in Newport News is $1,587 a month. A typical welder in Virginia earns about $52,438 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Newport News?

Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Virginia (~$52,438/yr) supports up to $1,311 a month in rent. Newport News's current median rent is $1,587/mo, which is $276/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Newport News?

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a welder in Virginia works roughly 62.9 hours a month to cover Newport News's median rent of $1,587.

Where is rent cheaper than Newport News for a welder?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Hampton ($1,585/mo), Hampton ($1,585/mo), Hampton ($1,581/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Virginia state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Newport News, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.