Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Powell, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 76.4% of gross income.
Powell 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 Powell, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Powell
View full rent data for Powell, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Powell, TN?
Median rent in Powell is $2,172 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Tennessee earns about $34,104 a year, which makes that rent 76.4% 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 Powell?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Tennessee (~$34,104/yr) supports up to $853 a month in rent. Powell's current median rent is $2,172/mo, which is $1,319/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Powell?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in Tennessee works roughly 132.5 hours a month to cover Powell's median rent of $2,172.
Where is rent cheaper than Powell for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Ooltewah ($2,170/mo), Corryton ($2,164/mo), Ooltewah ($2,162/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.