Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lincoln, NE?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.8% of gross income.
Lincoln 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 Lincoln, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lincoln
View full rent data for Lincoln, NE →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Lincoln, NE?
Median rent in Lincoln is $1,330 a month. A typical chef in Nebraska earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 26.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Lincoln?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Nebraska (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Lincoln's current median rent is $1,330/mo, which leaves a $162/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Lincoln?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Nebraska works roughly 46.4 hours a month to cover Lincoln's median rent of $1,330.
Where is rent cheaper than Lincoln for a chef?
Nearby Nebraska cities with lower median rent include Bennington ($1,324/mo), La Vista ($1,319/mo), Lexington ($1,319/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.