Can A Chef Afford Rent in Butte, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.7% of gross income.
Butte 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 Butte, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Butte
View full rent data for Butte, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Butte, MT?
Median rent in Butte is $1,443 a month. A typical chef in Montana earns about $56,452 a year, which makes that rent 30.7% 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 Butte?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Montana (~$56,452/yr) supports up to $1,411 a month in rent. Butte's current median rent is $1,443/mo, which is $32/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Butte?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Montana works roughly 53.2 hours a month to cover Butte's median rent of $1,443.
Where is rent cheaper than Butte for a chef?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Livingston ($1,442/mo), Livingston ($1,440/mo), Livingston ($1,434/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.