Can A Chef Afford Rent in Hattiesburg, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.4% of gross income.
Hattiesburg rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Mississippi 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 Mississippi cities have lower median rent than Hattiesburg, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hattiesburg
View full rent data for Hattiesburg, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Hattiesburg, MS?
Median rent in Hattiesburg is $1,315 a month. A typical chef in Mississippi earns about $51,962 a year, which makes that rent 30.4% 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 Hattiesburg?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Mississippi (~$51,962/yr) supports up to $1,299 a month in rent. Hattiesburg's current median rent is $1,315/mo, which is $16/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Hattiesburg?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a chef in Mississippi works roughly 52.6 hours a month to cover Hattiesburg's median rent of $1,315.
Where is rent cheaper than Hattiesburg for a chef?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Columbus ($1,314/mo), Bay Saint Louis ($1,314/mo), Columbus ($1,313/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.