Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Burlington, VT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 70.1% of gross income.
Burlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Vermont 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 Vermont cities have lower median rent than Burlington, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Burlington
View full rent data for Burlington, VT →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Burlington, VT?
Median rent in Burlington is $1,990 a month. A typical bartender in Vermont earns about $34,076 a year, which makes that rent 70.1% 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 Burlington?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Vermont (~$34,076/yr) supports up to $852 a month in rent. Burlington's current median rent is $1,990/mo, which is $1,138/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Burlington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Vermont works roughly 121.5 hours a month to cover Burlington's median rent of $1,990.
Where is rent cheaper than Burlington for a bartender?
Nearby Vermont cities with lower median rent include Hartford ($1,954/mo), Hartford ($1,902/mo), Hartford ($1,895/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.