Can A Chef Afford Rent in Rolla, MO?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 16.8% of gross income.

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

Rolla median rent
$828/mo
Chef salary (Missouri)
$59,018/yr
Rent as % of income
16.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,918, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,475/mo in rent. Rolla's median rent of $828 leaves roughly $647/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 29.2 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 Rolla, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Springfield, MO
$822/mo (16.7% of income)
Kirksville, MO
$806/mo (16.4% of income)
Maryville, MO
$774/mo (15.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Rolla

View full rent data for Rolla, MO

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Rolla, MO?

Median rent in Rolla is $828 a month. A typical chef in Missouri earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 16.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in Rolla?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Missouri (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Rolla's current median rent is $828/mo, which leaves a $647/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Missouri works roughly 29.2 hours a month to cover Rolla's median rent of $828.

Where is rent cheaper than Rolla for a chef?

Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Springfield ($822/mo), Kirksville ($806/mo), Maryville ($774/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 Rolla, MO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.