Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Middletown, DE?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 86.7% of gross income.
Middletown rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware 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 Delaware cities have lower median rent than Middletown, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Middletown
View full rent data for Middletown, DE →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Middletown, DE?
Median rent in Middletown is $2,733 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Delaware earns about $37,811 a year, which makes that rent 86.7% 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 Middletown?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Delaware (~$37,811/yr) supports up to $945 a month in rent. Middletown's current median rent is $2,733/mo, which is $1,788/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Middletown?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a retail salesperson in Delaware works roughly 150.3 hours a month to cover Middletown's median rent of $2,733.
Where is rent cheaper than Middletown for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Rehoboth Beach ($2,623/mo), Rehoboth Beach ($2,523/mo), Bear ($2,345/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.