Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Wilmington, DE?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.8% of gross income.
Wilmington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware 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 Delaware cities have lower median rent than Wilmington, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilmington
View full rent data for Wilmington, DE →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Wilmington, DE?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,757 a month. A typical bartender in Delaware earns about $35,833 a year, which makes that rent 58.8% 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 Wilmington?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Delaware (~$35,833/yr) supports up to $896 a month in rent. Wilmington's current median rent is $1,757/mo, which is $861/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Wilmington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Delaware works roughly 102 hours a month to cover Wilmington's median rent of $1,757.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilmington for a bartender?
Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Bear ($1,749/mo), Claymont ($1,727/mo), New Castle ($1,716/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.