Can A Chef Afford Rent in West Fargo, ND?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.8% of gross income.
West Fargo rent: July 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 West Fargo, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Fargo
View full rent data for West Fargo, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in West Fargo, ND?
Median rent in West Fargo is $1,286 a month. A typical chef in North Dakota earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 24.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in West Fargo?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in North Dakota (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. West Fargo's current median rent is $1,286/mo, which leaves a $270/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in West Fargo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in North Dakota works roughly 43 hours a month to cover West Fargo's median rent of $1,286.
Where is rent cheaper than West Fargo for a chef?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Williston ($1,283/mo), Bismarck ($1,279/mo), Dickinson ($1,278/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.