Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Johnston, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.3% of gross income.
Johnston rent: June 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 Johnston, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Johnston
View full rent data for Johnston, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Johnston, IA?
Median rent in Johnston 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 Johnston?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Johnston'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 Johnston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 88.9 hours a month to cover Johnston's median rent of $1,382.
Where is rent cheaper than Johnston 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.