Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Topeka, KS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.8% of gross income.
Topeka rent: July 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 Topeka, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Topeka
View full rent data for Topeka, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Topeka, KS?
Median rent in Topeka is $1,287 a month. A typical bartender in Kansas earns about $31,617 a year, which makes that rent 48.8% 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 Topeka?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Kansas (~$31,617/yr) supports up to $790 a month in rent. Topeka's current median rent is $1,287/mo, which is $497/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Topeka?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a bartender in Kansas works roughly 84.7 hours a month to cover Topeka's median rent of $1,287.
Where is rent cheaper than Topeka for a bartender?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Lawrence ($1,286/mo), Kansas City ($1,274/mo), Leavenworth ($1,273/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.