Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Ruston, LA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.3% of gross income.

Ruston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).

Ruston median rent
$1,442/mo
Real Estate Agent salary (Louisiana)
$57,055/yr
Rent as % of income
30.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,755, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,426/mo in rent. Ruston's median rent of $1,442 exceeds that threshold by $16/mo, putting a real estate agent salary into the rent-burdened range here. A real estate agent works roughly 52.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a real estate agent salary

Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Louisiana cities have lower median rent than Ruston, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:

Slidell, LA
$1,441/mo (30.3% of income)
Denham Springs, LA
$1,440/mo (30.3% of income)
Slidell, LA
$1,438/mo (30.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Ruston

View full rent data for Ruston, LA

Frequently asked questions

Can a real estate agent afford rent in Ruston, LA?

Median rent in Ruston is $1,442 a month. A typical real estate agent in Louisiana earns about $57,055 a year, which makes that rent 30.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Ruston?

Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Louisiana (~$57,055/yr) supports up to $1,426 a month in rent. Ruston's current median rent is $1,442/mo, which is $16/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Ruston?

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a real estate agent in Louisiana works roughly 52.6 hours a month to cover Ruston's median rent of $1,442.

Where is rent cheaper than Ruston for a real estate agent?

Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Slidell ($1,441/mo), Denham Springs ($1,440/mo), Slidell ($1,438/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.

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