Can A Chef Afford Rent in Jefferson City, MO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.5% of gross income.
Jefferson City rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Jefferson City, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Jefferson City
View full rent data for Jefferson City, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Jefferson City, MO?
Median rent in Jefferson City is $1,105 a month. A typical chef in Missouri earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 22.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Jefferson City?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Missouri (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Jefferson City's current median rent is $1,105/mo, which leaves a $370/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Jefferson City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Missouri works roughly 38.9 hours a month to cover Jefferson City's median rent of $1,105.
Where is rent cheaper than Jefferson City for a chef?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Creve Coeur ($1,103/mo), Waynesville ($1,102/mo), Cape Girardeau ($1,095/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.