Can A Chef Afford Rent in Baltimore, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Baltimore rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland 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 Maryland cities have lower median rent than Baltimore, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Baltimore
View full rent data for Baltimore, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Baltimore, MD?
Median rent in Baltimore is $1,762 a month. A typical chef in Maryland earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Baltimore?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maryland (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Baltimore's current median rent is $1,762/mo, which is $30/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Baltimore?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Maryland works roughly 52.9 hours a month to cover Baltimore's median rent of $1,762.
Where is rent cheaper than Baltimore for a chef?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Gaithersburg ($1,761/mo), Hyattsville ($1,761/mo), College Park ($1,760/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.