Can A Chef Afford Rent in Independence, KS?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.5% of gross income.

Independence rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas state estimate).

Independence median rent
$700/mo
Chef salary (Kansas)
$57,735/yr
Rent as % of income
14.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,811, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,443/mo in rent. Independence's median rent of $700 leaves roughly $743/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 25.2 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Independence, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Hutchinson, KS
$612/mo (12.7% of income)
Hutchinson, KS
$594/mo (12.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Independence

View full rent data for Independence, KS

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Independence, KS?

Median rent in Independence is $700 a month. A typical chef in Kansas earns about $57,735 a year, which makes that rent 14.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in Independence?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Kansas (~$57,735/yr) supports up to $1,443 a month in rent. Independence's current median rent is $700/mo, which leaves a $743/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Kansas works roughly 25.2 hours a month to cover Independence's median rent of $700.

Where is rent cheaper than Independence for a chef?

Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Hutchinson ($612/mo), Hutchinson ($594/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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