Can A Chef Afford Rent in Takoma Park, MD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.7% of gross income.
Takoma Park 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 Takoma Park, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Takoma Park
View full rent data for Takoma Park, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Takoma Park, MD?
Median rent in Takoma Park is $1,597 a month. A typical chef in Maryland earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 27.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Takoma Park?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maryland (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Takoma Park's current median rent is $1,597/mo, which leaves a $135/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Takoma Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Maryland works roughly 47.9 hours a month to cover Takoma Park's median rent of $1,597.
Where is rent cheaper than Takoma Park for a chef?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include District Heights ($1,596/mo), Fruitland ($1,595/mo), Edgewood ($1,593/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.