Can A Chef Afford Rent in Ipswich, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.7% of gross income.
Ipswich rent: March 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 Ipswich, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ipswich
View full rent data for Ipswich, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Ipswich, MA?
Median rent in Ipswich is $2,400 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 38.7% 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 Ipswich?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Ipswich's current median rent is $2,400/mo, which is $540/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Ipswich?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 67.1 hours a month to cover Ipswich's median rent of $2,400.
Where is rent cheaper than Ipswich for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Weymouth ($2,399/mo), Weymouth ($2,399/mo), Shrewsbury ($2,399/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.