Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Madison, MS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 96.8% of gross income.
Madison rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Mississippi 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 Mississippi cities have lower median rent than Madison, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Madison, MS?
Median rent in Madison is $2,422 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Mississippi earns about $30,027 a year, which makes that rent 96.8% 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 Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Mississippi (~$30,027/yr) supports up to $751 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $2,422/mo, which is $1,671/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $14 an hour, a retail salesperson in Mississippi works roughly 167.8 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $2,422.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Oxford ($2,376/mo), Oxford ($2,304/mo), Hernando ($2,261/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.