Can A Chef Afford Rent in Austin, AR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.3% of gross income.
Austin rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas 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 Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Austin, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Austin
View full rent data for Austin, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Austin, AR?
Median rent in Austin is $1,123 a month. A typical chef in Arkansas earns about $53,245 a year, which makes that rent 25.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Austin?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Arkansas (~$53,245/yr) supports up to $1,331 a month in rent. Austin's current median rent is $1,123/mo, which leaves a $208/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Austin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a chef in Arkansas works roughly 43.9 hours a month to cover Austin's median rent of $1,123.
Where is rent cheaper than Austin for a chef?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include North Little Rock ($1,122/mo), Jonesboro ($1,117/mo), Hot Springs ($1,117/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.