Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Federal Way, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.6% of gross income.
Federal Way rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Federal Way, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Federal Way
View full rent data for Federal Way, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Federal Way, WA?
Median rent in Federal Way is $1,920 a month. A typical bartender in Washington earns about $39,346 a year, which makes that rent 58.6% 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 Federal Way?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Washington (~$39,346/yr) supports up to $984 a month in rent. Federal Way's current median rent is $1,920/mo, which is $936/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Federal Way?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a bartender in Washington works roughly 101.5 hours a month to cover Federal Way's median rent of $1,920.
Where is rent cheaper than Federal Way for a bartender?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Port Orchard ($1,919/mo), Bainbridge Island ($1,918/mo), Everett ($1,918/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.