Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Surfside Beach, SC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.1% of gross income.
Surfside Beach rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina 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 South Carolina cities have lower median rent than Surfside Beach, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Surfside Beach
View full rent data for Surfside Beach, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Surfside Beach, SC?
Median rent in Surfside Beach is $1,607 a month. A typical retail salesperson in South Carolina earns about $32,622 a year, which makes that rent 59.1% 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 Surfside Beach?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in South Carolina (~$32,622/yr) supports up to $816 a month in rent. Surfside Beach's current median rent is $1,607/mo, which is $791/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Surfside Beach?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in South Carolina works roughly 102.5 hours a month to cover Surfside Beach's median rent of $1,607.
Where is rent cheaper than Surfside Beach for a retail salesperson?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Ladson ($1,606/mo), Greer ($1,606/mo), Boiling Springs ($1,605/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.