Can A Chef Afford Rent in Chelsea, AL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.2% of gross income.
Chelsea rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alabama state estimate).
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 Alabama cities have lower median rent than Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Chelsea, AL?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,169 a month. A typical chef in Alabama earns about $55,169 a year, which makes that rent 47.2% 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 Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Alabama (~$55,169/yr) supports up to $1,379 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,169/mo, which is $790/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Alabama works roughly 81.8 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,169.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for a chef?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Fairhope ($2,164/mo), Pike Road ($2,137/mo), Fairhope ($2,136/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.