Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Salem, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 79% of gross income.
Salem rent: September 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Salem, MA?
Median rent in Salem is $2,683 a month. A typical bartender in Massachusetts earns about $40,751 a year, which makes that rent 79% 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 Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Massachusetts (~$40,751/yr) supports up to $1,019 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $2,683/mo, which is $1,664/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bartender in Massachusetts works roughly 136.9 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $2,683.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a bartender?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Tewksbury ($2,682/mo), Andover ($2,682/mo), Andover ($2,682/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.