Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lenoir, NC?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.2% of gross income.
Lenoir 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 Lenoir, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lenoir
View full rent data for Lenoir, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Lenoir, NC?
Median rent in Lenoir is $1,218 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 24.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Lenoir?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Lenoir's current median rent is $1,218/mo, which leaves a $290/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Lenoir?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 42 hours a month to cover Lenoir's median rent of $1,218.
Where is rent cheaper than Lenoir for a chef?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Salisbury ($1,215/mo), Thomasville ($1,212/mo), Rocky Mount ($1,209/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.