Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Knoxville, IA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.9% of gross income.

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

Knoxville median rent
$941/mo
Bartender salary (Iowa)
$32,320/yr
Rent as % of income
34.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,693, and the 30% rule supports up to $808/mo in rent. Knoxville's median rent of $941 exceeds that threshold by $133/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 60.6 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 Knoxville, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Marshalltown, IA
$934/mo (34.7% of income)
Davenport, IA
$932/mo (34.6% of income)
Marshalltown, IA
$932/mo (34.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Knoxville

View full rent data for Knoxville, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Knoxville, IA?

Median rent in Knoxville is $941 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 34.9% 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 Knoxville?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Knoxville's current median rent is $941/mo, which is $133/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 60.6 hours a month to cover Knoxville's median rent of $941.

Where is rent cheaper than Knoxville for a bartender?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Marshalltown ($934/mo), Davenport ($932/mo), Marshalltown ($932/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 Knoxville, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.