Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Lewiston, ID?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48% of gross income.
Lewiston rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho 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 Idaho cities have lower median rent than Lewiston, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lewiston
View full rent data for Lewiston, ID →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Lewiston, ID?
Median rent in Lewiston is $1,321 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Idaho earns about $32,992 a year, which makes that rent 48% 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 Lewiston?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Idaho (~$32,992/yr) supports up to $825 a month in rent. Lewiston's current median rent is $1,321/mo, which is $496/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Lewiston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Idaho works roughly 83.3 hours a month to cover Lewiston's median rent of $1,321.
Where is rent cheaper than Lewiston for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Idaho Falls ($1,320/mo), Idaho Falls ($1,319/mo), Idaho Falls ($1,318/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.