Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Chatham, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.1% of gross income.
Chatham rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Chatham, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chatham
View full rent data for Chatham, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Chatham, IL?
Median rent in Chatham is $1,704 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Illinois earns about $37,811 a year, which makes that rent 54.1% 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 Chatham?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Illinois (~$37,811/yr) supports up to $945 a month in rent. Chatham's current median rent is $1,704/mo, which is $759/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Chatham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a retail salesperson in Illinois works roughly 93.7 hours a month to cover Chatham's median rent of $1,704.
Where is rent cheaper than Chatham for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Chicago ($1,703/mo), Calumet City ($1,702/mo), Evanston ($1,701/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.