Can A Chef Afford Rent in Kalispell, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.4% of gross income.
Kalispell rent: June 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 Kalispell, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kalispell
View full rent data for Kalispell, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Kalispell, MT?
Median rent in Kalispell is $1,852 a month. A typical chef in Montana earns about $56,452 a year, which makes that rent 39.4% 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 Kalispell?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Montana (~$56,452/yr) supports up to $1,411 a month in rent. Kalispell's current median rent is $1,852/mo, which is $441/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Kalispell?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Montana works roughly 68.2 hours a month to cover Kalispell's median rent of $1,852.
Where is rent cheaper than Kalispell for a chef?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Livingston ($1,839/mo), Livingston ($1,783/mo), Livingston ($1,738/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.