Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Lawrence, KS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.9% of gross income.
Lawrence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Lawrence, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lawrence
View full rent data for Lawrence, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Lawrence, KS?
Median rent in Lawrence is $1,288 a month. A typical bartender in Kansas earns about $31,617 a year, which makes that rent 48.9% 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 Lawrence?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Kansas (~$31,617/yr) supports up to $790 a month in rent. Lawrence's current median rent is $1,288/mo, which is $498/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Lawrence?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a bartender in Kansas works roughly 84.7 hours a month to cover Lawrence's median rent of $1,288.
Where is rent cheaper than Lawrence for a bartender?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Topeka ($1,283/mo), Kansas City ($1,274/mo), Leavenworth ($1,273/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.