Can A Chef Afford Rent in Stoneham, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.7% of gross income.
Stoneham rent: July 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 Stoneham, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Stoneham
View full rent data for Stoneham, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Stoneham, MA?
Median rent in Stoneham is $3,023 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 48.7% 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 Stoneham?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Stoneham's current median rent is $3,023/mo, which is $1,163/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Stoneham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 84.5 hours a month to cover Stoneham's median rent of $3,023.
Where is rent cheaper than Stoneham for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Swampscott ($3,021/mo), Watertown ($3,019/mo), Marblehead ($3,016/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.