Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Lincoln, NE?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.9% of gross income.
Lincoln 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 Lincoln, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lincoln
View full rent data for Lincoln, NE →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Lincoln, NE?
Median rent in Lincoln is $1,330 a month. A typical bartender in Nebraska earns about $32,671 a year, which makes that rent 48.9% 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 Lincoln?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Nebraska (~$32,671/yr) supports up to $817 a month in rent. Lincoln's current median rent is $1,330/mo, which is $513/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Lincoln?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Nebraska works roughly 84.7 hours a month to cover Lincoln's median rent of $1,330.
Where is rent cheaper than Lincoln for a bartender?
Nearby Nebraska cities with lower median rent include Bennington ($1,324/mo), La Vista ($1,319/mo), Lexington ($1,319/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.