Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.9% of gross income.
Wilkes-Barre rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Wilkes-Barre, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilkes-Barre
View full rent data for Wilkes-Barre, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Median rent in Wilkes-Barre is $1,358 a month. A typical bartender in Pennsylvania earns about $34,779 a year, which makes that rent 46.9% 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 Wilkes-Barre?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Pennsylvania (~$34,779/yr) supports up to $869 a month in rent. Wilkes-Barre's current median rent is $1,358/mo, which is $489/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Wilkes-Barre?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Pennsylvania works roughly 81.2 hours a month to cover Wilkes-Barre's median rent of $1,358.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilkes-Barre for a bartender?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Hanover ($1,356/mo), Harrisburg ($1,355/mo), Munhall ($1,353/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.