Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Sterling, CO?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.7% of gross income.
Sterling 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 Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling
View full rent data for Sterling, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Sterling, CO?
Median rent in Sterling is $1,172 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Colorado earns about $38,357 a year, which makes that rent 36.7% 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 Sterling?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Colorado (~$38,357/yr) supports up to $959 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $1,172/mo, which is $213/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Sterling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Colorado works roughly 63.6 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $1,172.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Greeley ($1,165/mo), Grand Junction ($1,164/mo), Alamosa ($1,117/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.