Can A Chef Afford Rent in Johnston, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.1% of gross income.
Johnston rent: June 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 Johnston, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Johnston
View full rent data for Johnston, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Johnston, IA?
Median rent in Johnston is $1,382 a month. A typical chef in Iowa earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 28.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Johnston?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Iowa (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Johnston's current median rent is $1,382/mo, which leaves a $93/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Johnston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Iowa works roughly 48.7 hours a month to cover Johnston's median rent of $1,382.
Where is rent cheaper than Johnston for a chef?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Grimes ($1,379/mo), Grimes ($1,378/mo), Grimes ($1,376/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.