Can A Welder Afford Rent in Yelm, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.6% of gross income.
Yelm rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Yelm, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Yelm
View full rent data for Yelm, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Yelm, WA?
Median rent in Yelm is $2,234 a month. A typical welder in Washington earns about $57,579 a year, which makes that rent 46.6% 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 Yelm?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Washington (~$57,579/yr) supports up to $1,439 a month in rent. Yelm's current median rent is $2,234/mo, which is $795/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Yelm?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a welder in Washington works roughly 80.7 hours a month to cover Yelm's median rent of $2,234.
Where is rent cheaper than Yelm for a welder?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Mill Creek ($2,230/mo), Pacific ($2,230/mo), Edmonds ($2,229/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.