Can A Chef Afford Rent in Winston-Salem, NC?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.4% of gross income.
Winston-Salem rent: September 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 Winston-Salem, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Winston-Salem
View full rent data for Winston-Salem, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Winston-Salem, NC?
Median rent in Winston-Salem is $1,478 a month. A typical chef in North Carolina earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 29.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Winston-Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Carolina (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Winston-Salem's current median rent is $1,478/mo, which leaves a $30/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Winston-Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in North Carolina works roughly 51 hours a month to cover Winston-Salem's median rent of $1,478.
Where is rent cheaper than Winston-Salem for a chef?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include New Bern ($1,477/mo), New Bern ($1,477/mo), Hillsborough ($1,477/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.