Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Jamestown, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 108.9% of gross income.
Jamestown rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Jamestown, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Jamestown
View full rent data for Jamestown, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Jamestown, RI?
Median rent in Jamestown is $3,500 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Rhode Island earns about $38,553 a year, which makes that rent 108.9% 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 Jamestown?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Rhode Island (~$38,553/yr) supports up to $964 a month in rent. Jamestown's current median rent is $3,500/mo, which is $2,536/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Jamestown?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a retail salesperson in Rhode Island works roughly 188.8 hours a month to cover Jamestown's median rent of $3,500.
Where is rent cheaper than Jamestown for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Portsmouth ($3,378/mo), Portsmouth ($3,288/mo), Newport ($3,284/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.