Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Washington, MI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 70.8% of gross income.
Washington rent: September 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 Washington, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, MI →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Washington, MI?
Median rent in Washington is $2,069 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Michigan earns about $35,069 a year, which makes that rent 70.8% 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 Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Michigan (~$35,069/yr) supports up to $877 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,069/mo, which is $1,192/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Michigan works roughly 122.7 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,069.
Where is rent cheaper than Washington for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Michigan cities with lower median rent include Commerce Township ($2,066/mo), New Hudson ($2,062/mo), New Hudson ($2,059/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.