Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Bethesda, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 97.7% of gross income.
Bethesda rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland 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 Maryland cities have lower median rent than Bethesda, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bethesda
View full rent data for Bethesda, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Bethesda, MD?
Median rent in Bethesda is $3,089 a month. A typical bartender in Maryland earns about $37,940 a year, which makes that rent 97.7% 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 Bethesda?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Maryland (~$37,940/yr) supports up to $949 a month in rent. Bethesda's current median rent is $3,089/mo, which is $2,140/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Bethesda?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a bartender in Maryland works roughly 169.3 hours a month to cover Bethesda's median rent of $3,089.
Where is rent cheaper than Bethesda for a bartender?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include North Potomac ($3,082/mo), North Potomac ($3,064/mo), North Potomac ($3,063/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.