Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Urbandale, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.7% of gross income.
Urbandale 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 Urbandale, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Urbandale
View full rent data for Urbandale, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Urbandale, IA?
Median rent in Urbandale is $1,203 a month. A typical bartender in Iowa earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 44.7% 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 Urbandale?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Iowa (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Urbandale's current median rent is $1,203/mo, which is $395/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Urbandale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Iowa works roughly 77.4 hours a month to cover Urbandale's median rent of $1,203.
Where is rent cheaper than Urbandale for a bartender?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Coralville ($1,199/mo), Pleasant Hill ($1,196/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,195/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.