Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Lakewood, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53% of gross income.
Lakewood 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 Lakewood, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lakewood
View full rent data for Lakewood, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Lakewood, WA?
Median rent in Lakewood is $1,737 a month. A typical bartender in Washington earns about $39,346 a year, which makes that rent 53% 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 Lakewood?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Washington (~$39,346/yr) supports up to $984 a month in rent. Lakewood's current median rent is $1,737/mo, which is $753/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Lakewood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a bartender in Washington works roughly 91.8 hours a month to cover Lakewood's median rent of $1,737.
Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood for a bartender?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Wenatchee ($1,736/mo), Liberty Lake ($1,736/mo), Tacoma ($1,736/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.