Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Fort Collins, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.7% of gross income.
Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Collins
View full rent data for Fort Collins, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Fort Collins, CO?
Median rent in Fort Collins is $1,938 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Colorado earns about $38,924 a year, which makes that rent 59.7% 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 Fort Collins?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Colorado (~$38,924/yr) supports up to $973 a month in rent. Fort Collins's current median rent is $1,938/mo, which is $965/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Fort Collins?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a retail salesperson in Colorado works roughly 103.6 hours a month to cover Fort Collins's median rent of $1,938.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Collins for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Johnstown ($1,937/mo), Meridian ($1,937/mo), Meridian ($1,937/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.