Can A Chef Afford Rent in Alexandria, LA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.9% of gross income.

Alexandria rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).

Alexandria median rent
$1,157/mo
Chef salary (Louisiana)
$55,811/yr
Rent as % of income
24.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,651, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,395/mo in rent. Alexandria's median rent of $1,157 leaves roughly $238/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 43.1 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 Louisiana cities have lower median rent than Alexandria, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

West Monroe, LA
$1,154/mo (24.8% of income)
West Monroe, LA
$1,154/mo (24.8% of income)
Ruston, LA
$1,153/mo (24.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Alexandria

View full rent data for Alexandria, LA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Alexandria, LA?

Median rent in Alexandria is $1,157 a month. A typical chef in Louisiana earns about $55,811 a year, which makes that rent 24.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in Alexandria?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Louisiana (~$55,811/yr) supports up to $1,395 a month in rent. Alexandria's current median rent is $1,157/mo, which leaves a $238/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Louisiana works roughly 43.1 hours a month to cover Alexandria's median rent of $1,157.

Where is rent cheaper than Alexandria for a chef?

Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include West Monroe ($1,154/mo), West Monroe ($1,154/mo), Ruston ($1,153/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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