Can A Chef Afford Rent in Austin, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17% of gross income.
Austin rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Austin, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Austin
View full rent data for Austin, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Austin, MN?
Median rent in Austin is $947 a month. A typical chef in Minnesota earns about $66,716 a year, which makes that rent 17% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Austin?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Minnesota (~$66,716/yr) supports up to $1,668 a month in rent. Austin's current median rent is $947/mo, which leaves a $721/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Austin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Minnesota works roughly 29.5 hours a month to cover Austin's median rent of $947.
Where is rent cheaper than Austin for a chef?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Albert Lea ($923/mo), Saint Cloud ($905/mo), Saint Cloud ($872/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.