Can A Chef Afford Rent in Kearney, NE?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Kearney rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Nebraska 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 Nebraska cities have lower median rent than Kearney, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kearney
View full rent data for Kearney, NE →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Kearney, NE?
Median rent in Kearney is $1,515 a month. A typical chef in Nebraska earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a chef afford in Kearney?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Nebraska (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Kearney's current median rent is $1,515/mo, which is $23/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Kearney?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Nebraska works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Kearney's median rent of $1,515.
Where is rent cheaper than Kearney for a chef?
Nearby Nebraska cities with lower median rent include Bennington ($1,477/mo), Columbus ($1,468/mo), Columbus ($1,464/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.