Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Melrose, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 82.9% of gross income.
Melrose rent: July 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 Melrose, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Melrose
View full rent data for Melrose, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Melrose, MA?
Median rent in Melrose is $2,969 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Massachusetts earns about $43,001 a year, which makes that rent 82.9% 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 Melrose?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Massachusetts (~$43,001/yr) supports up to $1,075 a month in rent. Melrose's current median rent is $2,969/mo, which is $1,894/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Melrose?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a retail salesperson in Massachusetts works roughly 143.6 hours a month to cover Melrose's median rent of $2,969.
Where is rent cheaper than Melrose for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Amherst ($2,968/mo), Canton ($2,968/mo), Marblehead ($2,967/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.