Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Butte, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.3% of gross income.
Butte rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Butte, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Butte
View full rent data for Butte, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Butte, MT?
Median rent in Butte is $1,314 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Montana earns about $32,622 a year, which makes that rent 48.3% 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 Butte?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Montana (~$32,622/yr) supports up to $816 a month in rent. Butte's current median rent is $1,314/mo, which is $498/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Butte?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Montana works roughly 83.8 hours a month to cover Butte's median rent of $1,314.
Where is rent cheaper than Butte for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Great Falls ($1,312/mo), Great Falls ($1,308/mo), Great Falls ($1,293/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.