Can A Chef Afford Rent in Tempe, AZ?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.3% of gross income.
Tempe rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona 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 Arizona cities have lower median rent than Tempe, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tempe
View full rent data for Tempe, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Tempe, AZ?
Median rent in Tempe is $1,623 a month. A typical chef in Arizona earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 31.3% 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 Tempe?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Arizona (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. Tempe's current median rent is $1,623/mo, which is $67/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Tempe?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in Arizona works roughly 54.3 hours a month to cover Tempe's median rent of $1,623.
Where is rent cheaper than Tempe for a chef?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include South Tucson ($1,601/mo), Sahuarita ($1,590/mo), Coolidge ($1,586/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.