Can A Chef Afford Rent in Beaufort, NC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.8% of gross income.
Beaufort rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Beaufort, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Beaufort
View full rent data for Beaufort, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Beaufort, NC?
Median rent in Beaufort is $2,098 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 41.8% 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 Beaufort?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Beaufort's current median rent is $2,098/mo, which is $590/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Beaufort?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 72.4 hours a month to cover Beaufort's median rent of $2,098.
Where is rent cheaper than Beaufort for a chef?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Mint Hill ($2,095/mo), Troutman ($2,087/mo), Pittsboro ($2,086/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.