Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lawrence, IN?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.8% of gross income.

Lawrence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Indiana state estimate).

Lawrence median rent
$1,615/mo
Chef salary (Indiana)
$59,018/yr
Rent as % of income
32.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,918, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,475/mo in rent. Lawrence's median rent of $1,615 exceeds that threshold by $140/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 56.9 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 Indiana cities have lower median rent than Lawrence, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Charlestown, IN
$1,612/mo (32.8% of income)
Highland, IN
$1,610/mo (32.7% of income)
Franklin, IN
$1,609/mo (32.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lawrence

View full rent data for Lawrence, IN

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Lawrence, IN?

Median rent in Lawrence is $1,615 a month. A typical chef in Indiana earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 32.8% 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 Lawrence?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Indiana (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Lawrence's current median rent is $1,615/mo, which is $140/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Indiana works roughly 56.9 hours a month to cover Lawrence's median rent of $1,615.

Where is rent cheaper than Lawrence for a chef?

Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Charlestown ($1,612/mo), Highland ($1,610/mo), Franklin ($1,609/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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