Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Bristol, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 96.5% of gross income.
Bristol rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Bristol, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bristol
View full rent data for Bristol, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Bristol, RI?
Median rent in Bristol is $2,939 a month. A typical bartender in Rhode Island earns about $36,535 a year, which makes that rent 96.5% 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 Bristol?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Rhode Island (~$36,535/yr) supports up to $913 a month in rent. Bristol's current median rent is $2,939/mo, which is $2,026/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Bristol?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a bartender in Rhode Island works roughly 167.3 hours a month to cover Bristol's median rent of $2,939.
Where is rent cheaper than Bristol for a bartender?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Narragansett ($2,934/mo), Newport ($2,931/mo), Narragansett ($2,929/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.