Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Newton, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.9% of gross income.
Newton 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 Newton, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Newton
View full rent data for Newton, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Newton, IA?
Median rent in Newton is $992 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Iowa earns about $34,104 a year, which makes that rent 34.9% 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 Newton?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Iowa (~$34,104/yr) supports up to $853 a month in rent. Newton's current median rent is $992/mo, which is $139/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Newton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Iowa works roughly 60.5 hours a month to cover Newton's median rent of $992.
Where is rent cheaper than Newton for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Burlington ($991/mo), Knoxville ($987/mo), Burlington ($983/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.