Can A Chef Afford Rent in Sterling, CO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 20.9% of gross income.
Sterling 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 Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling
View full rent data for Sterling, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Sterling, CO?
Median rent in Sterling is $1,172 a month. A typical chef in Colorado earns about $67,358 a year, which makes that rent 20.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Sterling?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Colorado (~$67,358/yr) supports up to $1,684 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $1,172/mo, which leaves a $512/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Sterling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Colorado works roughly 36.2 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $1,172.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a chef?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Greeley ($1,165/mo), Grand Junction ($1,164/mo), Alamosa ($1,117/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.