Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Rensselaer, NY?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.6% of gross income.

Rensselaer rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York state estimate).

Rensselaer median rent
$1,970/mo
Real Estate Agent salary (New York)
$74,761/yr
Rent as % of income
31.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,230, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,869/mo in rent. Rensselaer's median rent of $1,970 exceeds that threshold by $101/mo, putting a real estate agent salary into the rent-burdened range here. A real estate agent works roughly 54.8 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 New York cities have lower median rent than Rensselaer, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:

Ithaca, NY
$1,969/mo (31.6% of income)
Williamsville, NY
$1,969/mo (31.6% of income)
Ithaca, NY
$1,969/mo (31.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Rensselaer

View full rent data for Rensselaer, NY

Frequently asked questions

Can a real estate agent afford rent in Rensselaer, NY?

Median rent in Rensselaer is $1,970 a month. A typical real estate agent in New York earns about $74,761 a year, which makes that rent 31.6% 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 Rensselaer?

Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in New York (~$74,761/yr) supports up to $1,869 a month in rent. Rensselaer's current median rent is $1,970/mo, which is $101/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a real estate agent in New York works roughly 54.8 hours a month to cover Rensselaer's median rent of $1,970.

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

Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Ithaca ($1,969/mo), Williamsville ($1,969/mo), Ithaca ($1,969/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.

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