Can A Chef Afford Rent in Saugus, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.3% of gross income.
Saugus 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 Saugus, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Saugus
View full rent data for Saugus, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Saugus, MA?
Median rent in Saugus is $3,057 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 49.3% 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 Saugus?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Saugus's current median rent is $3,057/mo, which is $1,197/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Saugus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 85.4 hours a month to cover Saugus's median rent of $3,057.
Where is rent cheaper than Saugus for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Burlington ($3,056/mo), Marblehead ($3,055/mo), Stoneham ($3,055/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.