Can A Bartender Afford Rent in New Bedford, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.4% of gross income.
New Bedford rent: June 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 New Bedford, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Bedford
View full rent data for New Bedford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in New Bedford, MA?
Median rent in New Bedford is $1,916 a month. A typical bartender in Massachusetts earns about $40,751 a year, which makes that rent 56.4% 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 New Bedford?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Massachusetts (~$40,751/yr) supports up to $1,019 a month in rent. New Bedford's current median rent is $1,916/mo, which is $897/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in New Bedford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bartender in Massachusetts works roughly 97.8 hours a month to cover New Bedford's median rent of $1,916.
Where is rent cheaper than New Bedford for a bartender?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Westfield ($1,910/mo), Leominster ($1,908/mo), Boxboro ($1,906/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.