Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Belgrade, MT?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 84.9% of gross income.

Belgrade rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).

Belgrade median rent
$2,188/mo
Bartender salary (Montana)
$30,914/yr
Rent as % of income
84.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,576, and the 30% rule supports up to $773/mo in rent. Belgrade's median rent of $2,188 exceeds that threshold by $1,415/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 147.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Belgrade, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Bozeman, MT
$2,128/mo (82.6% of income)
Bozeman, MT
$2,127/mo (82.6% of income)
Bozeman, MT
$2,117/mo (82.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Belgrade

View full rent data for Belgrade, MT

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Belgrade, MT?

Median rent in Belgrade is $2,188 a month. A typical bartender in Montana earns about $30,914 a year, which makes that rent 84.9% 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 Belgrade?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Montana (~$30,914/yr) supports up to $773 a month in rent. Belgrade's current median rent is $2,188/mo, which is $1,415/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Belgrade?

At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a bartender in Montana works roughly 147.2 hours a month to cover Belgrade's median rent of $2,188.

Where is rent cheaper than Belgrade for a bartender?

Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Bozeman ($2,128/mo), Bozeman ($2,127/mo), Bozeman ($2,117/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Montana state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Belgrade, MT. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.