Can A Chef Afford Rent in Cary, NC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Cary rent: July 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 Cary, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cary
View full rent data for Cary, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Cary, NC?
Median rent in Cary is $1,791 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Cary?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Cary's current median rent is $1,791/mo, which is $283/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Cary?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 61.8 hours a month to cover Cary's median rent of $1,791.
Where is rent cheaper than Cary for a chef?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Wake Forest ($1,790/mo), Cameron ($1,790/mo), Mount Holly ($1,789/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.