Can A Chef Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia 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.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical chef in District of Columbia earns about $80,188 a year, which makes that rent 37.9% 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 Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in District of Columbia (~$80,188/yr) supports up to $2,005 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $527/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $39 an hour, a chef in District of Columbia works roughly 65.7 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.