Can A Chef Afford Rent in Taunton, MA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.8% of gross income.

Taunton rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).

Taunton median rent
$2,158/mo
Chef salary (Massachusetts)
$74,414/yr
Rent as % of income
34.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,201, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,860/mo in rent. Taunton's median rent of $2,158 exceeds that threshold by $298/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 60.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Taunton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Worcester, MA
$2,156/mo (34.8% of income)
Attleboro, MA
$2,152/mo (34.7% of income)
Attleboro, MA
$2,151/mo (34.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Taunton

View full rent data for Taunton, MA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Taunton, MA?

Median rent in Taunton is $2,158 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 34.8% 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 Taunton?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Taunton's current median rent is $2,158/mo, which is $298/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Taunton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 60.3 hours a month to cover Taunton's median rent of $2,158.

Where is rent cheaper than Taunton for a chef?

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Worcester ($2,156/mo), Attleboro ($2,152/mo), Attleboro ($2,151/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Massachusetts state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Taunton, MA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.