Can A Chef Afford Rent in Starkville, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.
Starkville rent: June 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 Starkville, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Starkville
View full rent data for Starkville, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Starkville, MS?
Median rent in Starkville is $1,571 a month. A typical chef in Mississippi earns about $51,962 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Starkville?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Mississippi (~$51,962/yr) supports up to $1,299 a month in rent. Starkville's current median rent is $1,571/mo, which is $272/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Starkville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a chef in Mississippi works roughly 62.9 hours a month to cover Starkville's median rent of $1,571.
Where is rent cheaper than Starkville for a chef?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Olive Branch ($1,567/mo), Horn Lake ($1,551/mo), Diberville ($1,549/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.