Can A Chef Afford Rent in Ruston, LA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.8% of gross income.

Ruston rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).

Ruston median rent
$1,198/mo
Chef salary (Louisiana)
$55,811/yr
Rent as % of income
25.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,651, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,395/mo in rent. Ruston's median rent of $1,198 leaves roughly $197/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 44.6 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 Ruston, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Thibodaux, LA
$1,195/mo (25.7% of income)
Thibodaux, LA
$1,193/mo (25.7% of income)
Sulphur, LA
$1,193/mo (25.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Ruston

View full rent data for Ruston, LA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Ruston, LA?

Median rent in Ruston is $1,198 a month. A typical chef in Louisiana earns about $55,811 a year, which makes that rent 25.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in Ruston?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Louisiana (~$55,811/yr) supports up to $1,395 a month in rent. Ruston's current median rent is $1,198/mo, which leaves a $197/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Louisiana works roughly 44.6 hours a month to cover Ruston's median rent of $1,198.

Where is rent cheaper than Ruston for a chef?

Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Thibodaux ($1,195/mo), Thibodaux ($1,193/mo), Sulphur ($1,193/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 Ruston, LA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.