Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Maplewood, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 80.9% of gross income.
Maplewood rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey 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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Maplewood, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Maplewood
View full rent data for Maplewood, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Maplewood, NJ?
Median rent in Maplewood is $2,799 a month. A typical retail salesperson in New Jersey earns about $41,518 a year, which makes that rent 80.9% 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 Maplewood?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in New Jersey (~$41,518/yr) supports up to $1,038 a month in rent. Maplewood's current median rent is $2,799/mo, which is $1,761/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Maplewood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a retail salesperson in New Jersey works roughly 140.2 hours a month to cover Maplewood's median rent of $2,799.
Where is rent cheaper than Maplewood for a retail salesperson?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Cranford ($2,798/mo), Bridgewater Township ($2,798/mo), Edgewater ($2,797/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.