Can A Chef Afford Rent in Manchester, MO?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.1% of gross income.

Manchester rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri state estimate).

Manchester median rent
$1,677/mo
Chef salary (Missouri)
$59,018/yr
Rent as % of income
34.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,918, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,475/mo in rent. Manchester's median rent of $1,677 exceeds that threshold by $202/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 59.1 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 Manchester, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Belton, MO
$1,676/mo (34.1% of income)
Lake Saint Louis, MO
$1,675/mo (34.1% of income)
Lake Saint Louis, MO
$1,671/mo (34% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Manchester

View full rent data for Manchester, MO

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Manchester, MO?

Median rent in Manchester is $1,677 a month. A typical chef in Missouri earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 34.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a chef afford in Manchester?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Missouri (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Manchester's current median rent is $1,677/mo, which is $202/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Missouri works roughly 59.1 hours a month to cover Manchester's median rent of $1,677.

Where is rent cheaper than Manchester for a chef?

Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Belton ($1,676/mo), Lake Saint Louis ($1,675/mo), Lake Saint Louis ($1,671/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 Manchester, MO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.