Can A Chef Afford Rent in Branson, MO?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.6% of gross income.

Branson rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri state estimate).

Branson median rent
$1,358/mo
Chef salary (Missouri)
$59,018/yr
Rent as % of income
27.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,918, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,475/mo in rent. Branson's median rent of $1,358 leaves roughly $117/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 47.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Branson, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Ozark, MO
$1,357/mo (27.6% of income)
Raytown, MO
$1,355/mo (27.6% of income)
Columbia, MO
$1,355/mo (27.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Branson

View full rent data for Branson, MO

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Branson, MO?

Median rent in Branson is $1,358 a month. A typical chef in Missouri earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 27.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in Branson?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Missouri (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Branson's current median rent is $1,358/mo, which leaves a $117/mo buffer.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Branson?

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Missouri works roughly 47.9 hours a month to cover Branson's median rent of $1,358.

Where is rent cheaper than Branson for a chef?

Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Ozark ($1,357/mo), Raytown ($1,355/mo), Columbia ($1,355/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Missouri state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Branson, MO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.