Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Portsmouth, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 111% of gross income.
Portsmouth rent: June 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 Portsmouth, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portsmouth
View full rent data for Portsmouth, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Portsmouth, RI?
Median rent in Portsmouth is $3,378 a month. A typical bartender in Rhode Island earns about $36,535 a year, which makes that rent 111% 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 Portsmouth?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Rhode Island (~$36,535/yr) supports up to $913 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $3,378/mo, which is $2,465/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Portsmouth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a bartender in Rhode Island works roughly 192.3 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $3,378.
Where is rent cheaper than Portsmouth for a bartender?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Newport ($3,284/mo), Newport ($3,281/mo), Middletown ($3,229/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.