Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Laurel, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.3% of gross income.
Laurel 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 Laurel, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laurel
View full rent data for Laurel, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Laurel, MT?
Median rent in Laurel is $1,286 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Montana earns about $32,622 a year, which makes that rent 47.3% 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 Laurel?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Montana (~$32,622/yr) supports up to $816 a month in rent. Laurel's current median rent is $1,286/mo, which is $470/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Laurel?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Montana works roughly 82 hours a month to cover Laurel's median rent of $1,286.
Where is rent cheaper than Laurel for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Butte ($1,277/mo), Butte ($1,255/mo), Butte ($1,243/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.