Can A Chef Afford Rent in Laurel, MT?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.3% of gross income.
Laurel 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 Laurel, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laurel
View full rent data for Laurel, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Laurel, MT?
Median rent in Laurel is $1,282 a month. A typical chef in Montana earns about $56,452 a year, which makes that rent 27.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Laurel?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Montana (~$56,452/yr) supports up to $1,411 a month in rent. Laurel's current median rent is $1,282/mo, which leaves a $129/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Laurel?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Montana works roughly 47.2 hours a month to cover Laurel's median rent of $1,282.
Where is rent cheaper than Laurel for a chef?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Missoula ($1,215/mo), Missoula ($1,020/mo), Billings ($1,014/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.