Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Kingsport, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.9% of gross income.
Kingsport rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Kingsport, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kingsport
View full rent data for Kingsport, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Kingsport, TN?
Median rent in Kingsport is $1,289 a month. A typical bartender in Tennessee earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 47.9% 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 Kingsport?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Tennessee (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Kingsport's current median rent is $1,289/mo, which is $481/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Kingsport?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Tennessee works roughly 83 hours a month to cover Kingsport's median rent of $1,289.
Where is rent cheaper than Kingsport for a bartender?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Johnson City ($1,286/mo), Johnson City ($1,285/mo), East Ridge ($1,285/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.