Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Smithfield, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 85.5% of gross income.
Smithfield rent: September 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 Smithfield, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Smithfield
View full rent data for Smithfield, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Smithfield, VA?
Median rent in Smithfield is $2,554 a month. A typical bartender in Virginia earns about $35,833 a year, which makes that rent 85.5% 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 Smithfield?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Virginia (~$35,833/yr) supports up to $896 a month in rent. Smithfield's current median rent is $2,554/mo, which is $1,658/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Smithfield?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Virginia works roughly 148.3 hours a month to cover Smithfield's median rent of $2,554.
Where is rent cheaper than Smithfield for a bartender?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Reston ($2,553/mo), Sterling ($2,550/mo), Sterling ($2,546/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.