Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.7% of gross income.
Oak Ridge rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Oak Ridge, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Ridge
View full rent data for Oak Ridge, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Median rent in Oak Ridge is $1,668 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Tennessee earns about $34,104 a year, which makes that rent 58.7% 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 Oak Ridge?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Tennessee (~$34,104/yr) supports up to $853 a month in rent. Oak Ridge's current median rent is $1,668/mo, which is $815/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Oak Ridge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Tennessee works roughly 101.7 hours a month to cover Oak Ridge's median rent of $1,668.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Ridge for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Murfreesboro ($1,667/mo), Lakeland ($1,667/mo), Alcoa ($1,666/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.