Can A Chef Afford Rent in Middletown, NY?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.

Middletown rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York state estimate).

Middletown median rent
$2,210/mo
Chef salary (New York)
$73,131/yr
Rent as % of income
36.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,094, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,828/mo in rent. Middletown's median rent of $2,210 exceeds that threshold by $382/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 62.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 York cities have lower median rent than Middletown, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Latham, NY
$2,200/mo (36.1% of income)
New Hartford, NY
$2,200/mo (36.1% of income)
Latham, NY
$2,184/mo (35.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Middletown

View full rent data for Middletown, NY

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Middletown, NY?

Median rent in Middletown is $2,210 a month. A typical chef in New York earns about $73,131 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Middletown?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New York (~$73,131/yr) supports up to $1,828 a month in rent. Middletown's current median rent is $2,210/mo, which is $382/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Middletown?

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in New York works roughly 62.9 hours a month to cover Middletown's median rent of $2,210.

Where is rent cheaper than Middletown for a chef?

Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Latham ($2,200/mo), New Hartford ($2,200/mo), Latham ($2,184/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived New York state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Middletown, NY. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.