Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Chatham, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 102.5% of gross income.
Chatham rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey 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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Chatham, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chatham
View full rent data for Chatham, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Chatham, NJ?
Median rent in Chatham is $3,362 a month. A typical bartender in New Jersey earns about $39,346 a year, which makes that rent 102.5% 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 Chatham?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in New Jersey (~$39,346/yr) supports up to $984 a month in rent. Chatham's current median rent is $3,362/mo, which is $2,378/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Chatham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a bartender in New Jersey works roughly 177.7 hours a month to cover Chatham's median rent of $3,362.
Where is rent cheaper than Chatham for a bartender?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Berkeley Heights ($3,357/mo), Madison ($3,354/mo), Berkeley Heights ($3,354/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.