Can A Chef Afford Rent in Salem, NJ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.6% of gross income.
Salem rent: August 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Salem, NJ?
Median rent in Salem is $1,650 a month. A typical chef in New Jersey earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 27.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Jersey (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,650/mo, which leaves a $146/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in New Jersey works roughly 47.8 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,650.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a chef?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Plainsboro ($1,648/mo), West Deptford Township ($1,646/mo), Somerdale ($1,645/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.