Can A Chef Afford Rent in Bismarck, ND?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.5% of gross income.
Bismarck rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota 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 Dakota cities have lower median rent than Bismarck, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bismarck
View full rent data for Bismarck, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Bismarck, ND?
Median rent in Bismarck is $1,372 a month. A typical chef in North Dakota earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 26.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Bismarck?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Dakota (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. Bismarck's current median rent is $1,372/mo, which leaves a $184/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Bismarck?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in North Dakota works roughly 45.9 hours a month to cover Bismarck's median rent of $1,372.
Where is rent cheaper than Bismarck for a chef?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Williston ($1,353/mo), West Fargo ($1,350/mo), West Fargo ($1,336/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.