Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Bismarck, ND?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.3% of gross income.
Bismarck rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota 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 North Dakota cities have lower median rent than Bismarck, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bismarck
View full rent data for Bismarck, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Bismarck, ND?
Median rent in Bismarck is $1,372 a month. A typical bartender in North Dakota earns about $34,076 a year, which makes that rent 48.3% 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 Bismarck?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in North Dakota (~$34,076/yr) supports up to $852 a month in rent. Bismarck's current median rent is $1,372/mo, which is $520/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Bismarck?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in North Dakota works roughly 83.7 hours a month to cover Bismarck's median rent of $1,372.
Where is rent cheaper than Bismarck for a bartender?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Williston ($1,353/mo), West Fargo ($1,350/mo), West Fargo ($1,336/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.