Can A Chef Afford Rent in Camden, NJ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.8% of gross income.
Camden rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey 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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Camden, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Camden
View full rent data for Camden, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Camden, NJ?
Median rent in Camden is $1,786 a month. A typical chef in New Jersey earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 29.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Camden?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Jersey (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Camden's current median rent is $1,786/mo, which leaves a $10/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Camden?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in New Jersey works roughly 51.7 hours a month to cover Camden's median rent of $1,786.
Where is rent cheaper than Camden for a chef?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Phillipsburg ($1,782/mo), Somerdale ($1,782/mo), Pleasantville ($1,780/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.