Can A Chef Afford Rent in New Albany, IN?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.5% of gross income.

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

New Albany median rent
$1,204/mo
Chef salary (Indiana)
$59,018/yr
Rent as % of income
24.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,918, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,475/mo in rent. New Albany's median rent of $1,204 leaves roughly $271/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 42.4 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 New Albany, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Noblesville, IN
$1,203/mo (24.5% of income)
Shelbyville, IN
$1,201/mo (24.4% of income)
Lafayette, IN
$1,199/mo (24.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for New Albany

View full rent data for New Albany, IN

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in New Albany, IN?

Median rent in New Albany is $1,204 a month. A typical chef in Indiana earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 24.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in New Albany?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Indiana (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. New Albany's current median rent is $1,204/mo, which leaves a $271/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Indiana works roughly 42.4 hours a month to cover New Albany's median rent of $1,204.

Where is rent cheaper than New Albany for a chef?

Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Noblesville ($1,203/mo), Shelbyville ($1,201/mo), Lafayette ($1,199/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 New Albany, IN. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.