Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Potomac, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 131.9% of gross income.
Potomac rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland 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 Maryland cities have lower median rent than Potomac, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Potomac
View full rent data for Potomac, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Potomac, MD?
Median rent in Potomac is $4,338 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Maryland earns about $39,452 a year, which makes that rent 131.9% 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 Potomac?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Maryland (~$39,452/yr) supports up to $986 a month in rent. Potomac's current median rent is $4,338/mo, which is $3,352/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Potomac?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Maryland works roughly 228.7 hours a month to cover Potomac's median rent of $4,338.
Where is rent cheaper than Potomac for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Clinton ($3,425/mo), Kensington ($3,416/mo), Kensington ($3,382/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.