Can A Chef Afford Rent in Leland, NC?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.3% of gross income.

Leland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina state estimate).

Leland median rent
$1,671/mo
Chef salary (North Carolina)
$60,301/yr
Rent as % of income
33.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,508/mo in rent. Leland's median rent of $1,671 exceeds that threshold by $163/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 57.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Leland, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Holly Ridge, NC
$1,670/mo (33.2% of income)
Clemmons, NC
$1,670/mo (33.2% of income)
Clemmons, NC
$1,670/mo (33.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Leland

View full rent data for Leland, NC

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Leland, NC?

Median rent in Leland is $1,671 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 33.3% 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 Leland?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Leland's current median rent is $1,671/mo, which is $163/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Leland?

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 57.6 hours a month to cover Leland's median rent of $1,671.

Where is rent cheaper than Leland for a chef?

Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Holly Ridge ($1,670/mo), Clemmons ($1,670/mo), Clemmons ($1,670/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived North Carolina state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Leland, NC. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.