Can A Chef Afford Rent in Chapel Hill, NC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.1% of gross income.
Chapel Hill rent: June 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 Chapel Hill, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chapel Hill
View full rent data for Chapel Hill, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Chapel Hill, NC?
Median rent in Chapel Hill is $1,763 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 35.1% 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 Chapel Hill?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Chapel Hill's current median rent is $1,763/mo, which is $255/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Chapel Hill?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 60.8 hours a month to cover Chapel Hill's median rent of $1,763.
Where is rent cheaper than Chapel Hill for a chef?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Whitsett ($1,762/mo), Matthews ($1,762/mo), Mount Holly ($1,762/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.