Can A Chef Afford Rent in Marion, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.7% of gross income.
Marion 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 Marion, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Marion
View full rent data for Marion, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Marion, IA?
Median rent in Marion is $1,315 a month. A typical chef in Iowa earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 26.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Marion?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Iowa (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Marion's current median rent is $1,315/mo, which leaves a $160/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Marion?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Iowa works roughly 46.3 hours a month to cover Marion's median rent of $1,315.
Where is rent cheaper than Marion for a chef?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Iowa City ($1,308/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,308/mo), Iowa City ($1,308/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.