Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Lakewood, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.6% of gross income.
Lakewood rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Lakewood, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lakewood
View full rent data for Lakewood, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Lakewood, CO?
Median rent in Lakewood is $1,800 a month. A typical bartender in Colorado earns about $36,887 a year, which makes that rent 58.6% 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 Lakewood?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Colorado (~$36,887/yr) supports up to $922 a month in rent. Lakewood's current median rent is $1,800/mo, which is $878/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Lakewood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a bartender in Colorado works roughly 101.5 hours a month to cover Lakewood's median rent of $1,800.
Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood for a bartender?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Woodland Park ($1,799/mo), Grand Junction ($1,799/mo), Montrose ($1,798/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.