Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Great Falls, MT?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.1% of gross income.

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

Great Falls median rent
$1,367/mo
Bartender salary (Montana)
$30,914/yr
Rent as % of income
53.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,576, and the 30% rule supports up to $773/mo in rent. Great Falls's median rent of $1,367 exceeds that threshold by $594/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 92 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 Great Falls, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Billings, MT
$1,363/mo (52.9% of income)
Billings, MT
$1,363/mo (52.9% of income)
Billings, MT
$1,357/mo (52.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Great Falls

View full rent data for Great Falls, MT

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Great Falls, MT?

Median rent in Great Falls is $1,367 a month. A typical bartender in Montana earns about $30,914 a year, which makes that rent 53.1% 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 Great Falls?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Montana (~$30,914/yr) supports up to $773 a month in rent. Great Falls's current median rent is $1,367/mo, which is $594/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a bartender in Montana works roughly 92 hours a month to cover Great Falls's median rent of $1,367.

Where is rent cheaper than Great Falls for a bartender?

Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Billings ($1,363/mo), Billings ($1,363/mo), Billings ($1,357/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 Great Falls, MT. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.