Can A Chef Afford Rent in Kensington, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.8% of gross income.
Kensington rent: July 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 Kensington, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kensington
View full rent data for Kensington, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Kensington, MD?
Median rent in Kensington is $3,513 a month. A typical chef in Maryland earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 60.8% 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 Kensington?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maryland (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Kensington's current median rent is $3,513/mo, which is $1,781/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Kensington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Maryland works roughly 105.5 hours a month to cover Kensington's median rent of $3,513.
Where is rent cheaper than Kensington for a chef?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Potomac ($3,511/mo), Potomac ($3,509/mo), Potomac ($3,507/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.