Can A Chef Afford Rent in Rockville, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42% of gross income.
Rockville 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 Rockville, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rockville
View full rent data for Rockville, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Rockville, MD?
Median rent in Rockville is $2,426 a month. A typical chef in Maryland earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 42% 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 Rockville?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maryland (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Rockville's current median rent is $2,426/mo, which is $694/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Rockville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Maryland works roughly 72.8 hours a month to cover Rockville's median rent of $2,426.
Where is rent cheaper than Rockville for a chef?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include California ($2,421/mo), Bowie ($2,421/mo), Odenton ($2,420/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.