Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Bella Vista, AR?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 76.7% of gross income.
Bella Vista rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).
About rent and a waiter or waitress salary
Declared server pay (base plus reported tips) sits below the rent threshold needed for a one-bedroom apartment in most US cities, which is why the server workforce tends to live in shared housing. Actual tip income varies widely and can push real take-home well above the BLS figure, particularly in fine-dining and high-volume restaurants. At the national-average declared server salary, the 30% rule supports about $913 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Bella Vista, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bella Vista
View full rent data for Bella Vista, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Bella Vista, AR?
Median rent in Bella Vista is $1,939 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Arkansas earns about $30,320 a year, which makes that rent 76.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a waiter or waitress afford in Bella Vista?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Arkansas (~$30,320/yr) supports up to $758 a month in rent. Bella Vista's current median rent is $1,939/mo, which is $1,181/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Bella Vista?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Arkansas works roughly 133 hours a month to cover Bella Vista's median rent of $1,939.
Where is rent cheaper than Bella Vista for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Hot Springs Village ($1,863/mo), Gentry ($1,783/mo), Gentry ($1,776/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.