Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 62.1% of gross income.
Oak Ridge rent: June 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 Oak Ridge, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Ridge
View full rent data for Oak Ridge, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Median rent in Oak Ridge is $1,673 a month. A typical bartender in Tennessee earns about $32,320 a year, which makes that rent 62.1% 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 Oak Ridge?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Tennessee (~$32,320/yr) supports up to $808 a month in rent. Oak Ridge's current median rent is $1,673/mo, which is $865/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Oak Ridge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Tennessee works roughly 107.7 hours a month to cover Oak Ridge's median rent of $1,673.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Ridge for a bartender?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Dickson ($1,672/mo), Hixson ($1,672/mo), Gallatin ($1,670/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.