Can A Chef Afford Rent in Laurel, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.6% of gross income.
Laurel 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 Laurel, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laurel
View full rent data for Laurel, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Laurel, MD?
Median rent in Laurel is $1,938 a month. A typical chef in Maryland earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 33.6% 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 Laurel?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maryland (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Laurel's current median rent is $1,938/mo, which is $206/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Laurel?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Maryland works roughly 58.2 hours a month to cover Laurel's median rent of $1,938.
Where is rent cheaper than Laurel for a chef?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Hyattsville ($1,937/mo), Lutherville Timonium ($1,937/mo), Bowie ($1,936/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.