Can A Welder Afford Rent in Portsmouth, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.6% of gross income.
Portsmouth rent: September 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 Portsmouth, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portsmouth
View full rent data for Portsmouth, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Portsmouth, VA?
Median rent in Portsmouth is $1,642 a month. A typical welder in Virginia earns about $52,438 a year, which makes that rent 37.6% 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 Portsmouth?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Virginia (~$52,438/yr) supports up to $1,311 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $1,642/mo, which is $331/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Portsmouth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a welder in Virginia works roughly 65.1 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $1,642.
Where is rent cheaper than Portsmouth for a welder?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Bellwood ($1,639/mo), Norfolk ($1,638/mo), Highland Springs ($1,638/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.