Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waltham, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.2% of gross income.
Waltham 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 Waltham, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waltham
View full rent data for Waltham, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waltham, MA?
Median rent in Waltham is $2,930 a month. A typical chef in Massachusetts earns about $74,414 a year, which makes that rent 47.2% 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 Waltham?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Massachusetts (~$74,414/yr) supports up to $1,860 a month in rent. Waltham's current median rent is $2,930/mo, which is $1,070/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waltham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in Massachusetts works roughly 81.9 hours a month to cover Waltham's median rent of $2,930.
Where is rent cheaper than Waltham for a chef?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Malden ($2,929/mo), Canton ($2,929/mo), Stoneham ($2,928/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.