Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Medford, OR?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.8% of gross income.
Medford rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Medford, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Medford
View full rent data for Medford, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Medford, OR?
Median rent in Medford is $1,728 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Oregon earns about $38,553 a year, which makes that rent 53.8% 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 Medford?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Oregon (~$38,553/yr) supports up to $964 a month in rent. Medford's current median rent is $1,728/mo, which is $764/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Medford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a retail salesperson in Oregon works roughly 93.2 hours a month to cover Medford's median rent of $1,728.
Where is rent cheaper than Medford for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Corvallis ($1,727/mo), Forest Grove ($1,726/mo), West Slope ($1,726/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.