Can A Chef Afford Rent in Bentonville, AR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.8% of gross income.
Bentonville rent: July 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 Bentonville, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bentonville
View full rent data for Bentonville, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Bentonville, AR?
Median rent in Bentonville is $1,677 a month. A typical chef in Arkansas earns about $53,245 a year, which makes that rent 37.8% 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 Bentonville?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Arkansas (~$53,245/yr) supports up to $1,331 a month in rent. Bentonville's current median rent is $1,677/mo, which is $346/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Bentonville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a chef in Arkansas works roughly 65.5 hours a month to cover Bentonville's median rent of $1,677.
Where is rent cheaper than Bentonville for a chef?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Fayetteville ($1,676/mo), Hot Springs Village ($1,675/mo), Fayetteville ($1,672/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.