Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Camden, NJ?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.5% of gross income.

Camden rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey state estimate).

Camden median rent
$1,786/mo
Bartender salary (New Jersey)
$39,346/yr
Rent as % of income
54.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,279, and the 30% rule supports up to $984/mo in rent. Camden's median rent of $1,786 exceeds that threshold by $802/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 94.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Camden, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Phillipsburg, NJ
$1,782/mo (54.3% of income)
Somerdale, NJ
$1,782/mo (54.3% of income)
Pleasantville, NJ
$1,780/mo (54.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Camden

View full rent data for Camden, NJ

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Camden, NJ?

Median rent in Camden is $1,786 a month. A typical bartender in New Jersey earns about $39,346 a year, which makes that rent 54.5% 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 Camden?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in New Jersey (~$39,346/yr) supports up to $984 a month in rent. Camden's current median rent is $1,786/mo, which is $802/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Camden?

At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a bartender in New Jersey works roughly 94.4 hours a month to cover Camden's median rent of $1,786.

Where is rent cheaper than Camden for a bartender?

Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Phillipsburg ($1,782/mo), Somerdale ($1,782/mo), Pleasantville ($1,780/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived New Jersey state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Camden, NJ. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.