Can A Chef Afford Rent in Rancho Cordova, CA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.2% of gross income.

Rancho Cordova rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Rancho Cordova median rent
$2,412/mo
Chef salary (California)
$75,697/yr
Rent as % of income
38.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,308, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,892/mo in rent. Rancho Cordova's median rent of $2,412 exceeds that threshold by $520/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 66.3 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 Rancho Cordova, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Lancaster, CA
$2,411/mo (38.2% of income)
Lancaster, CA
$2,410/mo (38.2% of income)
Spring Valley, CA
$2,410/mo (38.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Rancho Cordova

View full rent data for Rancho Cordova, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Rancho Cordova, CA?

Median rent in Rancho Cordova is $2,412 a month. A typical chef in California earns about $75,697 a year, which makes that rent 38.2% 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 Rancho Cordova?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in California (~$75,697/yr) supports up to $1,892 a month in rent. Rancho Cordova's current median rent is $2,412/mo, which is $520/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in California works roughly 66.3 hours a month to cover Rancho Cordova's median rent of $2,412.

Where is rent cheaper than Rancho Cordova for a chef?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Lancaster ($2,411/mo), Lancaster ($2,410/mo), Spring Valley ($2,410/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 Rancho Cordova, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.