Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Missoula, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 63% of gross income.
Missoula rent: September 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 Missoula, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Missoula
View full rent data for Missoula, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Missoula, MT?
Median rent in Missoula is $1,622 a month. A typical bartender in Montana earns about $30,914 a year, which makes that rent 63% 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 Missoula?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Montana (~$30,914/yr) supports up to $773 a month in rent. Missoula's current median rent is $1,622/mo, which is $849/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Missoula?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a bartender in Montana works roughly 109.1 hours a month to cover Missoula's median rent of $1,622.
Where is rent cheaper than Missoula for a bartender?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,615/mo), Helena ($1,601/mo), Helena ($1,600/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.