Can A Chef Afford Rent in Ankeny, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.
Ankeny rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ankeny, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ankeny
View full rent data for Ankeny, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Ankeny, IA?
Median rent in Ankeny is $1,533 a month. A typical chef in Iowa earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% 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 Ankeny?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Iowa (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Ankeny's current median rent is $1,533/mo, which is $58/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Ankeny?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Iowa works roughly 54 hours a month to cover Ankeny's median rent of $1,533.
Where is rent cheaper than Ankeny for a chef?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Altoona ($1,530/mo), Altoona ($1,523/mo), Waukee ($1,521/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.