Can A Chef Afford Rent in Carolina Beach, NC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.7% of gross income.
Carolina Beach rent: September 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 Carolina Beach, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carolina Beach
View full rent data for Carolina Beach, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Carolina Beach, NC?
Median rent in Carolina Beach is $2,347 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 46.7% 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 Carolina Beach?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Carolina Beach's current median rent is $2,347/mo, which is $839/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Carolina Beach?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 81 hours a month to cover Carolina Beach's median rent of $2,347.
Where is rent cheaper than Carolina Beach for a chef?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Beaufort ($2,333/mo), Emerald Isle ($2,300/mo), Emerald Isle ($2,300/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.