Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Des Moines, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.2% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Des Moines, WA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $2,013 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Washington earns about $41,518 a year, which makes that rent 58.2% 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 Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Washington (~$41,518/yr) supports up to $1,038 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which is $975/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a retail salesperson in Washington works roughly 100.8 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $2,013.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Olympia ($2,012/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Ridgefield ($2,011/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.