Can A Chef Afford Rent in Fort Collins, CO?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.6% of gross income.
Fort Collins rent: July 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 Fort Collins, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Collins
View full rent data for Fort Collins, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Fort Collins, CO?
Median rent in Fort Collins is $1,943 a month. A typical chef in Colorado earns about $67,358 a year, which makes that rent 34.6% 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 Fort Collins?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Colorado (~$67,358/yr) supports up to $1,684 a month in rent. Fort Collins's current median rent is $1,943/mo, which is $259/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Fort Collins?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Colorado works roughly 60 hours a month to cover Fort Collins's median rent of $1,943.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Collins for a chef?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Littleton ($1,942/mo), Lone Tree ($1,940/mo), Lone Tree ($1,940/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.