Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.8% of gross income.
Ames rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,153 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 42.8% 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 Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,153/mo, which is $345/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 74.2 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,153.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a bartender?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,152/mo), Des Moines ($1,148/mo), Cedar Rapids ($1,146/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.