Can A Chef Afford Rent in Melrose, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.8% of gross income.
Melrose 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 Melrose, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Melrose
View full rent data for Melrose, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Melrose, MA?
Median rent in Melrose is $3,026 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 48.8% 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 Melrose?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Melrose's current median rent is $3,026/mo, which is $1,166/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Melrose?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 84.6 hours a month to cover Melrose's median rent of $3,026.
Where is rent cheaper than Melrose for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Burlington ($3,025/mo), Bedford ($3,024/mo), Winchester ($3,023/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.