Can A Chef Afford Rent in Emporia, KS?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.9% of gross income.
Emporia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Emporia, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Emporia
View full rent data for Emporia, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Emporia, KS?
Median rent in Emporia is $860 a month. A typical chef in Kansas earns about $57,735 a year, which makes that rent 17.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Emporia?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Kansas (~$57,735/yr) supports up to $1,443 a month in rent. Emporia's current median rent is $860/mo, which leaves a $583/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Emporia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Kansas works roughly 31 hours a month to cover Emporia's median rent of $860.
Where is rent cheaper than Emporia for a chef?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Pittsburg ($859/mo), Manhattan ($855/mo), Hutchinson ($853/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.