Can A Chef Afford Rent in Cleveland, OH?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.5% of gross income.

Cleveland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio state estimate).

Cleveland median rent
$1,430/mo
Chef salary (Ohio)
$60,301/yr
Rent as % of income
28.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,508/mo in rent. Cleveland's median rent of $1,430 leaves roughly $78/mo of headroom under that threshold. A chef works roughly 49.3 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Cleveland, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Parma, OH
$1,429/mo (28.4% of income)
Parma, OH
$1,428/mo (28.4% of income)
North Canton, OH
$1,428/mo (28.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Cleveland

View full rent data for Cleveland, OH

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Cleveland, OH?

Median rent in Cleveland is $1,430 a month. A typical chef in Ohio earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 28.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a chef afford in Cleveland?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Ohio (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Cleveland's current median rent is $1,430/mo, which leaves a $78/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Ohio works roughly 49.3 hours a month to cover Cleveland's median rent of $1,430.

Where is rent cheaper than Cleveland for a chef?

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Parma ($1,429/mo), Parma ($1,428/mo), North Canton ($1,428/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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