Can A Chef Afford Rent in Fayetteville, AR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.8% of gross income.
Fayetteville rent: June 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 Fayetteville, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fayetteville
View full rent data for Fayetteville, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Fayetteville, AR?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,720 a month. A typical chef in Arkansas earns about $53,245 a year, which makes that rent 38.8% 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 Fayetteville?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Arkansas (~$53,245/yr) supports up to $1,331 a month in rent. Fayetteville's current median rent is $1,720/mo, which is $389/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Fayetteville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a chef in Arkansas works roughly 67.2 hours a month to cover Fayetteville's median rent of $1,720.
Where is rent cheaper than Fayetteville for a chef?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Gentry ($1,719/mo), Farmington ($1,715/mo), Hot Springs Village ($1,713/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.