Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Portsmouth, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.2% of gross income.
Portsmouth rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia 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, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Portsmouth, VA?
Median rent in Portsmouth is $1,617 a month. A typical bartender in Virginia earns about $35,833 a year, which makes that rent 54.2% 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 Virginia (~$35,833/yr) supports up to $896 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $1,617/mo, which is $721/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Portsmouth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Virginia works roughly 93.9 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $1,617.
Where is rent cheaper than Portsmouth for a bartender?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Bellwood ($1,615/mo), Norfolk ($1,610/mo), Norfolk ($1,607/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.