Can A Chef Afford Rent in Bethesda, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.5% of gross income.
Bethesda rent: June 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 Bethesda, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bethesda
View full rent data for Bethesda, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Bethesda, MD?
Median rent in Bethesda is $2,971 a month. A typical chef in Maryland earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 51.5% 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 Bethesda?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maryland (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Bethesda's current median rent is $2,971/mo, which is $1,239/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Bethesda?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Maryland works roughly 89.2 hours a month to cover Bethesda's median rent of $2,971.
Where is rent cheaper than Bethesda for a chef?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include North Potomac ($2,960/mo), Olney ($2,909/mo), Berlin ($2,901/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.