Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Madison, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.4% of gross income.
Madison rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Madison, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Madison, WI?
Median rent in Madison is $1,656 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Wisconsin earns about $35,217 a year, which makes that rent 56.4% 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 Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Wisconsin (~$35,217/yr) supports up to $880 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $1,656/mo, which is $776/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a retail salesperson in Wisconsin works roughly 97.8 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $1,656.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Kenosha ($1,655/mo), Middleton ($1,650/mo), Saint Francis ($1,649/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.