Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Tacoma, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.6% of gross income.
Tacoma 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 Tacoma, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tacoma
View full rent data for Tacoma, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Tacoma, WA?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,749 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Washington earns about $41,518 a year, which makes that rent 50.6% 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 Tacoma?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Washington (~$41,518/yr) supports up to $1,038 a month in rent. Tacoma's current median rent is $1,749/mo, which is $711/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Tacoma?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a retail salesperson in Washington works roughly 87.6 hours a month to cover Tacoma's median rent of $1,749.
Where is rent cheaper than Tacoma for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include La Center ($1,748/mo), Wenatchee ($1,747/mo), Vancouver ($1,747/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.