Can A Chef Afford Rent in Delaware, OH?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.4% of gross income.

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

Delaware median rent
$1,729/mo
Chef salary (Ohio)
$60,301/yr
Rent as % of income
34.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,508/mo in rent. Delaware's median rent of $1,729 exceeds that threshold by $221/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 59.6 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 Delaware, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Loveland, OH
$1,728/mo (34.4% of income)
Centerville, OH
$1,727/mo (34.4% of income)
Batavia, OH
$1,726/mo (34.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Delaware

View full rent data for Delaware, OH

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Delaware, OH?

Median rent in Delaware is $1,729 a month. A typical chef in Ohio earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 34.4% 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 Delaware?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Ohio (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Delaware's current median rent is $1,729/mo, which is $221/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Ohio works roughly 59.6 hours a month to cover Delaware's median rent of $1,729.

Where is rent cheaper than Delaware for a chef?

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Loveland ($1,728/mo), Centerville ($1,727/mo), Batavia ($1,726/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 Delaware, OH. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.