Can A Chef Afford Rent in Madison, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57.2% of gross income.
Madison rent: September 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 Madison, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Madison, NJ?
Median rent in Madison is $3,423 a month. A typical chef in New Jersey earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 57.2% 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 Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Jersey (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $3,423/mo, which is $1,627/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in New Jersey works roughly 99.1 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $3,423.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a chef?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Edgewater ($3,418/mo), East Hanover Township ($3,414/mo), East Hanover Township ($3,413/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.