Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Chelsea, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 77.8% of gross income.
Chelsea 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 Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Chelsea, MA?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,643 a month. A typical bartender in Massachusetts earns about $40,751 a year, which makes that rent 77.8% 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 Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Massachusetts (~$40,751/yr) supports up to $1,019 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,643/mo, which is $1,624/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bartender in Massachusetts works roughly 134.9 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,643.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for a bartender?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Wakefield ($2,642/mo), Plymouth ($2,642/mo), Malden ($2,642/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.