Can A Chef Afford Rent in Summit, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.7% of gross income.
Summit 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 Summit, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Summit
View full rent data for Summit, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Summit, NJ?
Median rent in Summit is $2,977 a month. A typical chef in New Jersey earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 49.7% 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 Summit?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Jersey (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Summit's current median rent is $2,977/mo, which is $1,181/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Summit?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in New Jersey works roughly 86.2 hours a month to cover Summit's median rent of $2,977.
Where is rent cheaper than Summit for a chef?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Jersey City ($2,976/mo), Medford Township ($2,975/mo), Chatham ($2,974/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.