Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Molalla?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Molalla, you need to earn at least $67,600/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $77,442, which means the typical resident is $9,842 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 10,147

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,183	$3,943	$47,320	$-30,122
1 Bedroom	$1,403	$4,677	$56,120	$-21,322
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,690	$5,633	$67,600	$-9,842
3 Bedroom	$2,062	$6,873	$82,480	+$5,038
4 Bedroom	$2,535	$8,450	$101,400	+$23,958

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Molalla's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$77,442

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$67,600

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$9,842

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 26.2%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Molalla

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Molalla's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,936

Studio

$1,183/mo

1 BR

$1,403/mo

2 BR

$1,690/mo

3 BR

$2,062/mo

4 BR

$2,535/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Molalla.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Molalla's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Molalla

Renting in Molalla, Oregon is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $67,600/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $77,442, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,403/month) or studio ($1,183/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Molalla pushes the required income to $82,480.

For comfortable living in Molalla without financial stress, target a household income of at least $101,400 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Oregon's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Molalla, Oregon.

With a total population of 10,147, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 5,339 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $67,600 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

5,339

Active civilian employees in Molalla

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Molalla

What salary do I need to live in Molalla, Oregon?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Molalla under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $67,600. The median household income in Molalla is $77,442.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Molalla on $77,442?

The affordability verdict for Molalla is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 26.2%, meaning median earners have a $9,842 surplus.

What is the average rent in Molalla compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Molalla is $1,403/month. With a median household income of $77,442, residents spend approximately 26.2% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Molalla?

A studio in Molalla rents for approximately $1,183/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $47,320 to afford this.

Is Molalla considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $9,842 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Molalla is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $67,600 to the local median household income.

How Molalla Compares

Other cities in Oregon with salary requirements