Can A Chef Afford Rent in Northampton, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.5% of gross income.
Northampton 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 Northampton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Northampton
View full rent data for Northampton, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Northampton, MA?
Median rent in Northampton is $2,327 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 37.5% 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 Northampton?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Northampton's current median rent is $2,327/mo, which is $467/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Northampton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 65 hours a month to cover Northampton's median rent of $2,327.
Where is rent cheaper than Northampton for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Methuen ($2,326/mo), Attleboro ($2,325/mo), Methuen ($2,325/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.