Can A Chef Afford Rent in Spencer, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.6% of gross income.
Spencer 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 Spencer, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Spencer
View full rent data for Spencer, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Spencer, MA?
Median rent in Spencer is $1,898 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 30.6% 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 Spencer?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Spencer's current median rent is $1,898/mo, which is $38/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Spencer?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 53.1 hours a month to cover Spencer's median rent of $1,898.
Where is rent cheaper than Spencer for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include New Bedford ($1,880/mo), Plymouth ($1,879/mo), Webster ($1,878/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.