Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Malden, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 78.2% of gross income.
Malden rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Malden, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Malden
View full rent data for Malden, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Malden, MA?
Median rent in Malden is $2,803 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Massachusetts earns about $43,001 a year, which makes that rent 78.2% 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 Malden?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Massachusetts (~$43,001/yr) supports up to $1,075 a month in rent. Malden's current median rent is $2,803/mo, which is $1,728/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Malden?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a retail salesperson in Massachusetts works roughly 135.6 hours a month to cover Malden's median rent of $2,803.
Where is rent cheaper than Malden for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Plymouth ($2,802/mo), Everett ($2,802/mo), Hopkinton ($2,801/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.