Can A Chef Afford Rent in Saint Paul, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.6% of gross income.
Saint Paul 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 Saint Paul, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Saint Paul
View full rent data for Saint Paul, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Saint Paul, MN?
Median rent in Saint Paul is $1,480 a month. A typical chef in Minnesota earns about $66,716 a year, which makes that rent 26.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Saint Paul?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Minnesota (~$66,716/yr) supports up to $1,668 a month in rent. Saint Paul's current median rent is $1,480/mo, which leaves a $188/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Saint Paul?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Minnesota works roughly 46.1 hours a month to cover Saint Paul's median rent of $1,480.
Where is rent cheaper than Saint Paul for a chef?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Maplewood ($1,479/mo), Burnsville ($1,477/mo), Duluth ($1,477/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.