Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Melrose, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 87.4% of gross income.
Melrose 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 Melrose, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Melrose
View full rent data for Melrose, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Melrose, MA?
Median rent in Melrose is $2,969 a month. A typical bartender in Massachusetts earns about $40,751 a year, which makes that rent 87.4% 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 Melrose?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Massachusetts (~$40,751/yr) supports up to $1,019 a month in rent. Melrose's current median rent is $2,969/mo, which is $1,950/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Melrose?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bartender in Massachusetts works roughly 151.5 hours a month to cover Melrose's median rent of $2,969.
Where is rent cheaper than Melrose for a bartender?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Amherst ($2,968/mo), Canton ($2,968/mo), Marblehead ($2,967/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.