Can A Chef Afford Rent in New Castle, DE?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.8% of gross income.
New Castle rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware 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 Delaware cities have lower median rent than New Castle, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Castle
View full rent data for New Castle, DE →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in New Castle, DE?
Median rent in New Castle is $1,682 a month. A typical chef in Delaware earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 30.8% 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 New Castle?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Delaware (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. New Castle's current median rent is $1,682/mo, which is $46/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in New Castle?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Delaware works roughly 53.5 hours a month to cover New Castle's median rent of $1,682.
Where is rent cheaper than New Castle for a chef?
Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Wilmington ($1,678/mo), Wilmington ($1,675/mo), Wilmington ($1,675/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.