Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Highlands Ranch, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 80.1% of gross income.
Highlands Ranch rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Highlands Ranch, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Highlands Ranch
View full rent data for Highlands Ranch, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Highlands Ranch, CO?
Median rent in Highlands Ranch is $2,559 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Colorado earns about $38,357 a year, which makes that rent 80.1% 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 Highlands Ranch?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Colorado (~$38,357/yr) supports up to $959 a month in rent. Highlands Ranch's current median rent is $2,559/mo, which is $1,600/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Highlands Ranch?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Colorado works roughly 138.8 hours a month to cover Highlands Ranch's median rent of $2,559.
Where is rent cheaper than Highlands Ranch for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Glenwood Springs ($2,558/mo), Glenwood Springs ($2,555/mo), Evergreen ($2,554/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.