Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Fargo, ND?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.
Fargo rent: July 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 Fargo, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fargo
View full rent data for Fargo, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Fargo, ND?
Median rent in Fargo is $1,077 a month. A typical bartender in North Dakota earns about $34,076 a year, which makes that rent 37.9% 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 Fargo?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in North Dakota (~$34,076/yr) supports up to $852 a month in rent. Fargo's current median rent is $1,077/mo, which is $225/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Fargo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in North Dakota works roughly 65.7 hours a month to cover Fargo's median rent of $1,077.
Where is rent cheaper than Fargo for a bartender?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Mandan ($1,074/mo), Mandan ($1,060/mo), Mandan ($1,047/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.