Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Burlington, VT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 66.4% of gross income.
Burlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Vermont 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 Vermont cities have lower median rent than Burlington, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Burlington
View full rent data for Burlington, VT →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Burlington, VT?
Median rent in Burlington is $1,990 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Vermont earns about $35,958 a year, which makes that rent 66.4% 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 Burlington?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Vermont (~$35,958/yr) supports up to $899 a month in rent. Burlington's current median rent is $1,990/mo, which is $1,091/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Burlington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a retail salesperson in Vermont works roughly 115.1 hours a month to cover Burlington's median rent of $1,990.
Where is rent cheaper than Burlington for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Vermont cities with lower median rent include Hartford ($1,954/mo), Hartford ($1,902/mo), Hartford ($1,895/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.