Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Smithville, MO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 65.5% of gross income.
Smithville rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Smithville, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Smithville
View full rent data for Smithville, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Smithville, MO?
Median rent in Smithville is $1,862 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Missouri earns about $34,104 a year, which makes that rent 65.5% 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 Smithville?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Missouri (~$34,104/yr) supports up to $853 a month in rent. Smithville's current median rent is $1,862/mo, which is $1,009/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Smithville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Missouri works roughly 113.6 hours a month to cover Smithville's median rent of $1,862.
Where is rent cheaper than Smithville for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include O Fallon ($1,859/mo), Ballwin ($1,850/mo), Kirkwood ($1,849/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.