Can A Chef Afford Rent in Tucson, AZ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.5% of gross income.
Tucson 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 Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tucson
View full rent data for Tucson, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
Median rent in Tucson is $1,428 a month. A typical chef in Arizona earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 27.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Tucson?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Arizona (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. Tucson's current median rent is $1,428/mo, which leaves a $128/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Tucson?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in Arizona works roughly 47.7 hours a month to cover Tucson's median rent of $1,428.
Where is rent cheaper than Tucson for a chef?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Yuma ($1,425/mo), Youngtown ($1,423/mo), San Tan Valley ($1,420/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.