Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Waukegan, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.6% of gross income.
Waukegan rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Waukegan, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waukegan
View full rent data for Waukegan, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Waukegan, IL?
Median rent in Waukegan is $1,660 a month. A typical bartender in Illinois earns about $35,833 a year, which makes that rent 55.6% 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 Waukegan?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Illinois (~$35,833/yr) supports up to $896 a month in rent. Waukegan's current median rent is $1,660/mo, which is $764/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Waukegan?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Illinois works roughly 96.4 hours a month to cover Waukegan's median rent of $1,660.
Where is rent cheaper than Waukegan for a bartender?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Joliet ($1,656/mo), Sycamore ($1,656/mo), Oak Lawn ($1,654/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.