Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Fort Dodge, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.4% of gross income.
Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Dodge
View full rent data for Fort Dodge, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Fort Dodge, IA?
Median rent in Fort Dodge is $820 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 30.4% 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 Dodge?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Fort Dodge's current median rent is $820/mo, which is $12/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Fort Dodge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Fort Dodge's median rent of $820.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Dodge for a bartender?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Boone ($806/mo), Burlington ($806/mo), Boone ($804/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.