Can A Chef Afford Rent in Fargo, ND?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.1% of gross income.
Fargo rent: September 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 Fargo, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fargo
View full rent data for Fargo, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Fargo, ND?
Median rent in Fargo is $1,094 a month. A typical chef in North Dakota earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 21.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Fargo?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Dakota (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. Fargo's current median rent is $1,094/mo, which leaves a $462/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Fargo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in North Dakota works roughly 36.6 hours a month to cover Fargo's median rent of $1,094.
Where is rent cheaper than Fargo for a chef?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include West Fargo ($1,089/mo), Grand Forks ($1,089/mo), Grand Forks ($1,082/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.