Can A Chef Afford Rent in Salem, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.2% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Salem, MA?
Median rent in Salem is $2,742 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 44.2% 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 Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $2,742/mo, which is $882/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 76.6 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $2,742.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Westborough ($2,741/mo), Mansfield ($2,741/mo), Malden ($2,741/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.