Can A Chef Afford Rent in Iowa City, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.8% of gross income.
Iowa City rent: September 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 Iowa City, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Iowa City
View full rent data for Iowa City, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Iowa City, IA?
Median rent in Iowa City is $1,713 a month. A typical chef in Iowa earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 34.8% 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 Iowa City?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Iowa (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Iowa City's current median rent is $1,713/mo, which is $238/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Iowa City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Iowa works roughly 60.4 hours a month to cover Iowa City's median rent of $1,713.
Where is rent cheaper than Iowa City for a chef?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include North Liberty ($1,705/mo), North Liberty ($1,699/mo), North Liberty ($1,695/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.