Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Appleton, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.6% of gross income.
Appleton rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Appleton, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Appleton
View full rent data for Appleton, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Appleton, WI?
Median rent in Appleton is $1,185 a month. A typical bartender in Wisconsin earns about $33,374 a year, which makes that rent 42.6% 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 Appleton?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Wisconsin (~$33,374/yr) supports up to $834 a month in rent. Appleton's current median rent is $1,185/mo, which is $351/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Appleton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Wisconsin works roughly 73.9 hours a month to cover Appleton's median rent of $1,185.
Where is rent cheaper than Appleton for a bartender?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Watertown ($1,184/mo), Racine ($1,184/mo), Fond du Lac ($1,183/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.