Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Indianola, IA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.3% of gross income.

Indianola rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Indianola median rent
$1,382/mo
Bartender salary (Iowa)
$32,320/yr
Rent as % of income
51.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,693, and the 30% rule supports up to $808/mo in rent. Indianola's median rent of $1,382 exceeds that threshold by $574/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 88.9 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 Indianola, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Grimes, IA
$1,379/mo (51.2% of income)
Grimes, IA
$1,378/mo (51.2% of income)
Grimes, IA
$1,376/mo (51.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Indianola

View full rent data for Indianola, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Indianola, IA?

Median rent in Indianola is $1,382 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 51.3% 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 Indianola?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Indianola's current median rent is $1,382/mo, which is $574/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 88.9 hours a month to cover Indianola's median rent of $1,382.

Where is rent cheaper than Indianola for a bartender?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Grimes ($1,379/mo), Grimes ($1,378/mo), Grimes ($1,376/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 Indianola, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.