Can A Chef Afford Rent in North Pole, AK?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.1% of gross income.

North Pole rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alaska state estimate).

North Pole median rent
$1,802/mo
Chef salary (Alaska)
$71,848/yr
Rent as % of income
30.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,987, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,796/mo in rent. North Pole's median rent of $1,802 exceeds that threshold by $6/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 52.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a chef salary

Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Alaska cities have lower median rent than North Pole, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Fairbanks, AK
$1,796/mo (30% of income)
Fairbanks, AK
$1,794/mo (30% of income)
Fairbanks, AK
$1,790/mo (29.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for North Pole

View full rent data for North Pole, AK

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in North Pole, AK?

Median rent in North Pole is $1,802 a month. A typical chef in Alaska earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 30.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a chef afford in North Pole?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Alaska (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. North Pole's current median rent is $1,802/mo, which is $6/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in North Pole?

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Alaska works roughly 52.2 hours a month to cover North Pole's median rent of $1,802.

Where is rent cheaper than North Pole for a chef?

Nearby Alaska cities with lower median rent include Fairbanks ($1,796/mo), Fairbanks ($1,794/mo), Fairbanks ($1,790/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Alaska state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for North Pole, AK. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.