Can A Chef Afford Rent in Medford, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.1% of gross income.
Medford rent: June 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 Medford, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Medford
View full rent data for Medford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Medford, MA?
Median rent in Medford is $3,419 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 55.1% 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 Medford?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Medford's current median rent is $3,419/mo, which is $1,559/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Medford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 95.6 hours a month to cover Medford's median rent of $3,419.
Where is rent cheaper than Medford for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Boston ($3,413/mo), Needham ($3,399/mo), Needham ($3,395/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.