Can A Chef Afford Rent in Aspen, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 314% of gross income.
Aspen rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Aspen, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Aspen
View full rent data for Aspen, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Aspen, CO?
Median rent in Aspen is $17,626 a month. A typical chef in Colorado earns about $67,358 a year, which makes that rent 314% 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 Aspen?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Colorado (~$67,358/yr) supports up to $1,684 a month in rent. Aspen's current median rent is $17,626/mo, which is $15,942/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Aspen?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Colorado works roughly 544.3 hours a month to cover Aspen's median rent of $17,626.
Where is rent cheaper than Aspen for a chef?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Basalt ($5,900/mo), Basalt ($5,050/mo), Basalt ($5,017/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.