Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Kearney, NE?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.6% of gross income.
Kearney rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Nebraska 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 Nebraska cities have lower median rent than Kearney, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kearney
View full rent data for Kearney, NE →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Kearney, NE?
Median rent in Kearney is $1,515 a month. A typical bartender in Nebraska earns about $32,671 a year, which makes that rent 55.6% 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 Kearney?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Nebraska (~$32,671/yr) supports up to $817 a month in rent. Kearney's current median rent is $1,515/mo, which is $698/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Kearney?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Nebraska works roughly 96.5 hours a month to cover Kearney's median rent of $1,515.
Where is rent cheaper than Kearney for a bartender?
Nearby Nebraska cities with lower median rent include Bennington ($1,477/mo), Columbus ($1,468/mo), Columbus ($1,464/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.