Can A Chef Afford Rent in Rochester, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.8% of gross income.
Rochester rent: September 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 Rochester, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rochester
View full rent data for Rochester, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Rochester, MN?
Median rent in Rochester is $1,602 a month. A typical chef in Minnesota earns about $66,716 a year, which makes that rent 28.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Rochester?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Minnesota (~$66,716/yr) supports up to $1,668 a month in rent. Rochester's current median rent is $1,602/mo, which leaves a $66/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Rochester?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Minnesota works roughly 49.9 hours a month to cover Rochester's median rent of $1,602.
Where is rent cheaper than Rochester for a chef?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Monticello ($1,599/mo), Coon Rapids ($1,597/mo), Coon Rapids ($1,597/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.