Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 65.6% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia 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.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical retail salesperson in District of Columbia earns about $46,338 a year, which makes that rent 65.6% 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 Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in District of Columbia (~$46,338/yr) supports up to $1,158 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $1,374/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a retail salesperson in District of Columbia works roughly 113.7 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.