Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lakewood, NJ?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.8% of gross income.
Lakewood rent: June 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 Lakewood, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lakewood
View full rent data for Lakewood, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Lakewood, NJ?
Median rent in Lakewood is $2,021 a month. A typical chef in New Jersey earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 33.8% 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 Lakewood?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Jersey (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Lakewood's current median rent is $2,021/mo, which is $225/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Lakewood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in New Jersey works roughly 58.5 hours a month to cover Lakewood's median rent of $2,021.
Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood for a chef?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Paterson ($2,020/mo), Vineland ($2,018/mo), Woodbury ($2,017/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.