Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 76.3% of gross income.
Chelmsford rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Chelmsford, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelmsford
View full rent data for Chelmsford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Median rent in Chelmsford is $2,590 a month. A typical bartender in Massachusetts earns about $40,751 a year, which makes that rent 76.3% 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 Chelmsford?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Massachusetts (~$40,751/yr) supports up to $1,019 a month in rent. Chelmsford's current median rent is $2,590/mo, which is $1,571/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Chelmsford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bartender in Massachusetts works roughly 132.2 hours a month to cover Chelmsford's median rent of $2,590.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelmsford for a bartender?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Millbury ($2,589/mo), Gloucester ($2,589/mo), Amesbury ($2,588/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.