Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Denver, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57.9% of gross income.
Denver rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).
About rent and a retail salesperson salary
Retail pay sits below the rent threshold needed for solo apartment living in most US metros, which is the central tension behind the widely studied retail-housing affordability gap. At the national-average retail salary, the 30% rule supports about $927 a month in rent — below the median one-bedroom rent in nearly every metro tracked here. The per-city pages show which markets are least out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Colorado cities have lower median rent than Denver, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Denver
View full rent data for Denver, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Denver, CO?
Median rent in Denver is $1,877 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Colorado earns about $38,924 a year, which makes that rent 57.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a retail salesperson afford in Denver?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Colorado (~$38,924/yr) supports up to $973 a month in rent. Denver's current median rent is $1,877/mo, which is $904/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Denver?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a retail salesperson in Colorado works roughly 100.3 hours a month to cover Denver's median rent of $1,877.
Where is rent cheaper than Denver for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Thornton ($1,876/mo), Longmont ($1,875/mo), Thornton ($1,875/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.