Can A Chef Afford Rent in Bridgewater, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.7% of gross income.
Bridgewater rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Bridgewater, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bridgewater
View full rent data for Bridgewater, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Bridgewater, MA?
Median rent in Bridgewater is $2,650 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 42.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a chef afford in Bridgewater?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Bridgewater's current median rent is $2,650/mo, which is $790/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Bridgewater?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 74.1 hours a month to cover Bridgewater's median rent of $2,650.
Where is rent cheaper than Bridgewater for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Tewksbury ($2,648/mo), Chelmsford ($2,647/mo), Andover ($2,646/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.