Can A Chef Afford Rent in Compton, CA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.2% of gross income.

Compton rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Compton median rent
$2,344/mo
Chef salary (California)
$75,697/yr
Rent as % of income
37.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,308, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,892/mo in rent. Compton's median rent of $2,344 exceeds that threshold by $452/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 64.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 California cities have lower median rent than Compton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Gardena, CA
$2,343/mo (37.1% of income)
Moreno Valley, CA
$2,343/mo (37.1% of income)
Moreno Valley, CA
$2,343/mo (37.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Compton

View full rent data for Compton, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Compton, CA?

Median rent in Compton is $2,344 a month. A typical chef in California earns about $75,697 a year, which makes that rent 37.2% 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 Compton?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in California (~$75,697/yr) supports up to $1,892 a month in rent. Compton's current median rent is $2,344/mo, which is $452/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Compton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in California works roughly 64.4 hours a month to cover Compton's median rent of $2,344.

Where is rent cheaper than Compton for a chef?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Gardena ($2,343/mo), Moreno Valley ($2,343/mo), Moreno Valley ($2,343/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived California state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Compton, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.