Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.1% of gross income.
Fort Smith rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).
About rent and a bartender salary
Declared bartender pay sits below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in most US cities. Actual tip income in high-volume bars and fine-dining can push real take-home substantially higher. At the national-average declared bartender salary, the 30% rule supports about $878 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Fort Smith, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Smith
View full rent data for Fort Smith, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Median rent in Fort Smith is $1,071 a month. A typical bartender in Arkansas earns about $29,158 a year, which makes that rent 44.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bartender afford in Fort Smith?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Arkansas (~$29,158/yr) supports up to $729 a month in rent. Fort Smith's current median rent is $1,071/mo, which is $342/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Fort Smith?
At an hourly equivalent of about $14 an hour, a bartender in Arkansas works roughly 76.4 hours a month to cover Fort Smith's median rent of $1,071.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Smith for a bartender?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include North Little Rock ($1,069/mo), Jacksonville ($1,069/mo), North Little Rock ($1,064/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.