Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Butte, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.7% of gross income.
Butte rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Butte, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Butte
View full rent data for Butte, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Butte, MT?
Median rent in Butte is $1,410 a month. A typical bartender in Montana earns about $30,914 a year, which makes that rent 54.7% 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 Butte?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Montana (~$30,914/yr) supports up to $773 a month in rent. Butte's current median rent is $1,410/mo, which is $637/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Butte?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a bartender in Montana works roughly 94.9 hours a month to cover Butte's median rent of $1,410.
Where is rent cheaper than Butte for a bartender?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Livingston ($1,406/mo), Billings ($1,404/mo), Great Falls ($1,396/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.