Can A Welder Afford Rent in Watertown, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.6% of gross income.

Watertown rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Watertown median rent
$1,166/mo
Welder salary (Wisconsin)
$48,840/yr
Rent as % of income
28.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,070, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,221/mo in rent. Watertown's median rent of $1,166 leaves roughly $55/mo of headroom under that threshold. A welder works roughly 49.7 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Watertown, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:

Appleton, WI
$1,164/mo (28.6% of income)
Appleton, WI
$1,162/mo (28.6% of income)
Racine, WI
$1,162/mo (28.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Watertown

View full rent data for Watertown, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a welder afford rent in Watertown, WI?

Median rent in Watertown is $1,166 a month. A typical welder in Wisconsin earns about $48,840 a year, which makes that rent 28.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a welder afford in Watertown?

Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Wisconsin (~$48,840/yr) supports up to $1,221 a month in rent. Watertown's current median rent is $1,166/mo, which leaves a $55/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Wisconsin works roughly 49.7 hours a month to cover Watertown's median rent of $1,166.

Where is rent cheaper than Watertown for a welder?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Appleton ($1,164/mo), Appleton ($1,162/mo), Racine ($1,162/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.

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