Can A Waiter or Waitress Afford Rent in Wausau, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Wausau rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Wausau, which improves the affordability math on a waiter or waitress salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wausau
View full rent data for Wausau, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a waiter or waitress afford rent in Wausau, WI?
Median rent in Wausau is $1,029 a month. A typical waiter or waitress in Wisconsin earns about $34,704 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Wausau?
Using the 30% rule, a waiter or waitress salary in Wisconsin (~$34,704/yr) supports up to $868 a month in rent. Wausau's current median rent is $1,029/mo, which is $161/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a waiter or waitress work to cover rent in Wausau?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a waiter or waitress in Wisconsin works roughly 61.7 hours a month to cover Wausau's median rent of $1,029.
Where is rent cheaper than Wausau for a waiter or waitress?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Beloit ($1,027/mo), Green Bay ($1,027/mo), Wisconsin Rapids ($1,026/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a waiter or waitress salary.