Can A Chef Afford Rent in College Park, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.8% of gross income.
College Park 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 College Park, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for College Park
View full rent data for College Park, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in College Park, MD?
Median rent in College Park is $2,125 a month. A typical chef in Maryland earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 36.8% 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 College Park?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maryland (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. College Park's current median rent is $2,125/mo, which is $393/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in College Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Maryland works roughly 63.8 hours a month to cover College Park's median rent of $2,125.
Where is rent cheaper than College Park for a chef?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Greenbelt ($2,124/mo), Columbia ($2,124/mo), Columbia ($2,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.