Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Providence, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 72.4% of gross income.
Providence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Providence, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Providence
View full rent data for Providence, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Providence, RI?
Median rent in Providence is $2,293 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Rhode Island earns about $37,991 a year, which makes that rent 72.4% 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 Providence?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Rhode Island (~$37,991/yr) supports up to $950 a month in rent. Providence's current median rent is $2,293/mo, which is $1,343/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Providence?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Rhode Island works roughly 125.5 hours a month to cover Providence's median rent of $2,293.
Where is rent cheaper than Providence for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Bristol ($2,284/mo), Bristol ($2,283/mo), Bristol ($2,282/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.