Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Lawrence, KS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.3% of gross income.
Lawrence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Lawrence, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lawrence
View full rent data for Lawrence, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Lawrence, KS?
Median rent in Lawrence is $1,288 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Kansas earns about $33,363 a year, which makes that rent 46.3% 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 Lawrence?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Kansas (~$33,363/yr) supports up to $834 a month in rent. Lawrence's current median rent is $1,288/mo, which is $454/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Lawrence?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Kansas works roughly 80.3 hours a month to cover Lawrence's median rent of $1,288.
Where is rent cheaper than Lawrence for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Topeka ($1,283/mo), Kansas City ($1,274/mo), Leavenworth ($1,273/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.