Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.6% of gross income.
Ames rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,153 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Iowa earns about $34,104 a year, which makes that rent 40.6% 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 Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Iowa (~$34,104/yr) supports up to $853 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,153/mo, which is $300/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Iowa works roughly 70.3 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,153.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,152/mo), Des Moines ($1,148/mo), Cedar Rapids ($1,146/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.