Can A Chef Afford Rent in Leesburg, FL?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.9% of gross income.

Leesburg rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

Leesburg median rent
$1,734/mo
Chef salary (Florida)
$59,660/yr
Rent as % of income
34.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,972, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,492/mo in rent. Leesburg's median rent of $1,734 exceeds that threshold by $242/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 60.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Leesburg, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Oxford, FL
$1,733/mo (34.9% of income)
Brooksville, FL
$1,733/mo (34.9% of income)
Orange Park, FL
$1,732/mo (34.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Leesburg

View full rent data for Leesburg, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Leesburg, FL?

Median rent in Leesburg is $1,734 a month. A typical chef in Florida earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 34.9% 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 Leesburg?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Florida (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Leesburg's current median rent is $1,734/mo, which is $242/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Leesburg?

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Florida works roughly 60.5 hours a month to cover Leesburg's median rent of $1,734.

Where is rent cheaper than Leesburg for a chef?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Oxford ($1,733/mo), Brooksville ($1,733/mo), Orange Park ($1,732/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Florida state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Leesburg, FL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.