Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Clinton, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.4% of gross income.

Clinton rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Clinton median rent
$792/mo
Bartender salary (Iowa)
$32,320/yr
Rent as % of income
29.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,693, and the 30% rule supports up to $808/mo in rent. Clinton's median rent of $792 leaves roughly $16/mo of headroom under that threshold. A bartender works roughly 51 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Clinton, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Newton, IA
$788/mo (29.3% of income)
Boone, IA
$786/mo (29.2% of income)
Boone, IA
$771/mo (28.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Clinton

View full rent data for Clinton, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Clinton, IA?

Median rent in Clinton is $792 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 29.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a bartender afford in Clinton?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Clinton's current median rent is $792/mo, which leaves a $16/mo buffer.

How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Clinton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 51 hours a month to cover Clinton's median rent of $792.

Where is rent cheaper than Clinton for a bartender?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Newton ($788/mo), Boone ($786/mo), Boone ($771/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Iowa state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Clinton, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.