Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Williamsburg, VA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 68.9% of gross income.

Williamsburg rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Williamsburg median rent
$2,058/mo
Bartender salary (Virginia)
$35,833/yr
Rent as % of income
68.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,986, and the 30% rule supports up to $896/mo in rent. Williamsburg's median rent of $2,058 exceeds that threshold by $1,162/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 119.5 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Williamsburg, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Ashburn, VA
$2,055/mo (68.8% of income)
Virginia Beach, VA
$2,054/mo (68.8% of income)
Culpeper, VA
$2,053/mo (68.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Williamsburg

View full rent data for Williamsburg, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Williamsburg, VA?

Median rent in Williamsburg is $2,058 a month. A typical bartender in Virginia earns about $35,833 a year, which makes that rent 68.9% 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 Williamsburg?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Virginia (~$35,833/yr) supports up to $896 a month in rent. Williamsburg's current median rent is $2,058/mo, which is $1,162/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Virginia works roughly 119.5 hours a month to cover Williamsburg's median rent of $2,058.

Where is rent cheaper than Williamsburg for a bartender?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Ashburn ($2,055/mo), Virginia Beach ($2,054/mo), Culpeper ($2,053/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

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