Can A Chef Afford Rent in Little Rock, AR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.7% of gross income.
Little Rock 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 Little Rock, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Little Rock
View full rent data for Little Rock, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Little Rock, AR?
Median rent in Little Rock is $1,230 a month. A typical chef in Arkansas earns about $53,245 a year, which makes that rent 27.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Little Rock?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Arkansas (~$53,245/yr) supports up to $1,331 a month in rent. Little Rock's current median rent is $1,230/mo, which leaves a $101/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Little Rock?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a chef in Arkansas works roughly 48 hours a month to cover Little Rock's median rent of $1,230.
Where is rent cheaper than Little Rock for a chef?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Hot Springs ($1,226/mo), Maumelle ($1,225/mo), Greenbrier ($1,225/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.