Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Kingston, WA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 81.3% of gross income.

Kingston rent: August 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Kingston median rent
$2,667/mo
Bartender salary (Washington)
$39,346/yr
Rent as % of income
81.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,279, and the 30% rule supports up to $984/mo in rent. Kingston's median rent of $2,667 exceeds that threshold by $1,683/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 141 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Kingston, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Spanaway, WA
$2,666/mo (81.3% of income)
Mercer Island, WA
$2,665/mo (81.3% of income)
Spanaway, WA
$2,664/mo (81.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Kingston

View full rent data for Kingston, WA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Kingston, WA?

Median rent in Kingston is $2,667 a month. A typical bartender in Washington earns about $39,346 a year, which makes that rent 81.3% 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 Kingston?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Washington (~$39,346/yr) supports up to $984 a month in rent. Kingston's current median rent is $2,667/mo, which is $1,683/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a bartender in Washington works roughly 141 hours a month to cover Kingston's median rent of $2,667.

Where is rent cheaper than Kingston for a bartender?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Spanaway ($2,666/mo), Mercer Island ($2,665/mo), Spanaway ($2,664/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

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