Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Arlington, TX?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.3% of gross income.

Arlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Arlington median rent
$1,546/mo
Bartender salary (Texas)
$34,779/yr
Rent as % of income
53.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,898, and the 30% rule supports up to $869/mo in rent. Arlington's median rent of $1,546 exceeds that threshold by $677/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 92.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Fort Worth, TX
$1,545/mo (53.3% of income)
Fort Worth, TX
$1,545/mo (53.3% of income)
Cedar Park, TX
$1,545/mo (53.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Arlington

View full rent data for Arlington, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Arlington, TX?

Median rent in Arlington is $1,546 a month. A typical bartender in Texas earns about $34,779 a year, which makes that rent 53.3% 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 Arlington?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Texas (~$34,779/yr) supports up to $869 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $1,546/mo, which is $677/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Arlington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Texas works roughly 92.5 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $1,546.

Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for a bartender?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Fort Worth ($1,545/mo), Fort Worth ($1,545/mo), Cedar Park ($1,545/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Texas state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Arlington, TX. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.