Can A Chef Afford Rent in Washington, NC?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.4% of gross income.
Washington rent: May 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 Washington, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Washington, NC?
Median rent in Washington is $1,225 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 24.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $1,225/mo, which leaves a $283/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 42.3 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $1,225.
Where is rent cheaper than Washington for a chef?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Thomasville ($1,224/mo), Raleigh ($1,223/mo), Kannapolis ($1,221/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.