Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Duluth, MN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.3% of gross income.
Duluth rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Duluth, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Duluth
View full rent data for Duluth, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Duluth, MN?
Median rent in Duluth is $1,434 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Minnesota earns about $37,991 a year, which makes that rent 45.3% 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 Duluth?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Minnesota (~$37,991/yr) supports up to $950 a month in rent. Duluth's current median rent is $1,434/mo, which is $484/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Duluth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Minnesota works roughly 78.5 hours a month to cover Duluth's median rent of $1,434.
Where is rent cheaper than Duluth for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include West Saint Paul ($1,432/mo), West Saint Paul ($1,431/mo), West Saint Paul ($1,431/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.