Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Port Huron, MI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.4% of gross income.
Port Huron rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Michigan 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 Michigan cities have lower median rent than Port Huron, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Port Huron
View full rent data for Port Huron, MI →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Port Huron, MI?
Median rent in Port Huron is $1,005 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Michigan earns about $35,069 a year, which makes that rent 34.4% 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 Port Huron?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Michigan (~$35,069/yr) supports up to $877 a month in rent. Port Huron's current median rent is $1,005/mo, which is $128/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Port Huron?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Michigan works roughly 59.6 hours a month to cover Port Huron's median rent of $1,005.
Where is rent cheaper than Port Huron for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Michigan cities with lower median rent include Romulus ($1,002/mo), River Rouge ($1,000/mo), Bay City ($999/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.