Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Knoxville, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.1% of gross income.
Knoxville rent: June 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 Knoxville, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Knoxville
View full rent data for Knoxville, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Knoxville, IA?
Median rent in Knoxville is $941 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Iowa earns about $34,104 a year, which makes that rent 33.1% 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 Knoxville?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Iowa (~$34,104/yr) supports up to $853 a month in rent. Knoxville's current median rent is $941/mo, which is $88/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Knoxville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Iowa works roughly 57.4 hours a month to cover Knoxville's median rent of $941.
Where is rent cheaper than Knoxville for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Marshalltown ($934/mo), Davenport ($932/mo), Marshalltown ($932/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.