Can A Chef Afford Rent in Watford City, ND?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.8% of gross income.

Watford City rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota state estimate).

Watford City median rent
$1,236/mo
Chef salary (North Dakota)
$62,226/yr
Rent as % of income
23.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,186, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,556/mo in rent. Watford City's median rent of $1,236 leaves roughly $320/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 41.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Watford City, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Dickinson, ND
$1,234/mo (23.8% of income)
Bismarck, ND
$1,234/mo (23.8% of income)
Minot, ND
$1,233/mo (23.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Watford City

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Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Watford City, ND?

Median rent in Watford City is $1,236 a month. A typical chef in North Dakota earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 23.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in Watford City?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Dakota (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. Watford City's current median rent is $1,236/mo, which leaves a $320/mo buffer.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Watford City?

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in North Dakota works roughly 41.3 hours a month to cover Watford City's median rent of $1,236.

Where is rent cheaper than Watford City for a chef?

Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Dickinson ($1,234/mo), Bismarck ($1,234/mo), Minot ($1,233/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived North Dakota state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Watford City, ND. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.