Can A Chef Afford Rent in Billings, MT?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.6% of gross income.
Billings rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Billings, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Billings
View full rent data for Billings, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Billings, MT?
Median rent in Billings is $1,393 a month. A typical chef in Montana earns about $56,452 a year, which makes that rent 29.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Billings?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Montana (~$56,452/yr) supports up to $1,411 a month in rent. Billings's current median rent is $1,393/mo, which leaves a $18/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Billings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Montana works roughly 51.3 hours a month to cover Billings's median rent of $1,393.
Where is rent cheaper than Billings for a chef?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Great Falls ($1,388/mo), Butte ($1,385/mo), Great Falls ($1,378/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.