Can A Chef Afford Rent in Moundville, AL?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.8% of gross income.

Moundville rent: January 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alabama state estimate).

Moundville median rent
$1,463/mo
Chef salary (Alabama)
$55,169/yr
Rent as % of income
31.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,597, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,379/mo in rent. Moundville's median rent of $1,463 exceeds that threshold by $84/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 55.2 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 Alabama cities have lower median rent than Moundville, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Opelika, AL
$1,462/mo (31.8% of income)
Gulf Shores, AL
$1,462/mo (31.8% of income)
Opelika, AL
$1,460/mo (31.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Moundville

View full rent data for Moundville, AL

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Moundville, AL?

Median rent in Moundville is $1,463 a month. A typical chef in Alabama earns about $55,169 a year, which makes that rent 31.8% 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 Moundville?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Alabama (~$55,169/yr) supports up to $1,379 a month in rent. Moundville's current median rent is $1,463/mo, which is $84/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Alabama works roughly 55.2 hours a month to cover Moundville's median rent of $1,463.

Where is rent cheaper than Moundville for a chef?

Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Opelika ($1,462/mo), Gulf Shores ($1,462/mo), Opelika ($1,460/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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