Can A Chef Afford Rent in Decatur, AL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.8% of gross income.
Decatur 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 Decatur, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Decatur
View full rent data for Decatur, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Decatur, AL?
Median rent in Decatur is $1,093 a month. A typical chef in Alabama earns about $55,169 a year, which makes that rent 23.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Decatur?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Alabama (~$55,169/yr) supports up to $1,379 a month in rent. Decatur's current median rent is $1,093/mo, which leaves a $286/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Decatur?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Alabama works roughly 41.2 hours a month to cover Decatur's median rent of $1,093.
Where is rent cheaper than Decatur for a chef?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Dothan ($1,091/mo), Jacksonville ($1,090/mo), Dothan ($1,088/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.