Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Kearney, NE?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.5% of gross income.
Kearney rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Nebraska 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 Nebraska cities have lower median rent than Kearney, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kearney
View full rent data for Kearney, NE →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Kearney, NE?
Median rent in Kearney is $1,451 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Nebraska earns about $34,475 a year, which makes that rent 50.5% 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 Kearney?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Nebraska (~$34,475/yr) supports up to $862 a month in rent. Kearney's current median rent is $1,451/mo, which is $589/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Kearney?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a retail salesperson in Nebraska works roughly 87.5 hours a month to cover Kearney's median rent of $1,451.
Where is rent cheaper than Kearney for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Nebraska cities with lower median rent include Columbus ($1,447/mo), Omaha ($1,446/mo), La Vista ($1,442/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.