Can A Chef Afford Rent in Newark, NJ?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Newark 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 Newark, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Newark
View full rent data for Newark, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Newark, NJ?
Median rent in Newark is $2,130 a month. A typical chef in New Jersey earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Newark?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Jersey (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Newark's current median rent is $2,130/mo, which is $334/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Newark?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in New Jersey works roughly 61.7 hours a month to cover Newark's median rent of $2,130.
Where is rent cheaper than Newark for a chef?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Plainfield ($2,127/mo), Harrison ($2,124/mo), Lakewood ($2,124/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.