Can A Welder Afford Rent in Madison, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.1% of gross income.
Madison rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Madison, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Madison, WI?
Median rent in Madison is $1,837 a month. A typical welder in Wisconsin earns about $48,840 a year, which makes that rent 45.1% 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 Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Wisconsin (~$48,840/yr) supports up to $1,221 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $1,837/mo, which is $616/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Wisconsin works roughly 78.2 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $1,837.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a welder?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Oconomowoc ($1,834/mo), Oconomowoc ($1,831/mo), Monona ($1,825/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.