Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Onalaska, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.6% of gross income.
Onalaska rent: July 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 Onalaska, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Onalaska
View full rent data for Onalaska, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Onalaska, WI?
Median rent in Onalaska is $1,406 a month. A typical bartender in Wisconsin earns about $33,374 a year, which makes that rent 50.6% 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 Onalaska?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Wisconsin (~$33,374/yr) supports up to $834 a month in rent. Onalaska's current median rent is $1,406/mo, which is $572/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Onalaska?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a bartender in Wisconsin works roughly 87.6 hours a month to cover Onalaska's median rent of $1,406.
Where is rent cheaper than Onalaska for a bartender?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Menomonee Falls ($1,405/mo), Milwaukee ($1,398/mo), West Bend ($1,398/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.