Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Meridian, MS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.1% of gross income.
Meridian rent: July 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 Meridian, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Meridian
View full rent data for Meridian, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Meridian, MS?
Median rent in Meridian is $1,279 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Mississippi earns about $30,027 a year, which makes that rent 51.1% 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 Meridian?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Mississippi (~$30,027/yr) supports up to $751 a month in rent. Meridian's current median rent is $1,279/mo, which is $528/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Meridian?
At an hourly equivalent of about $14 an hour, a retail salesperson in Mississippi works roughly 88.6 hours a month to cover Meridian's median rent of $1,279.
Where is rent cheaper than Meridian for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Gautier ($1,275/mo), Jackson ($1,271/mo), Jackson ($1,270/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.