Can A Chef Afford Rent in Forest Park, OH?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.7% of gross income.

Forest Park rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio state estimate).

Forest Park median rent
$1,594/mo
Chef salary (Ohio)
$60,301/yr
Rent as % of income
31.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,508/mo in rent. Forest Park's median rent of $1,594 exceeds that threshold by $86/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 55 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 Forest Park, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Delaware, OH
$1,592/mo (31.7% of income)
Delaware, OH
$1,592/mo (31.7% of income)
Delaware, OH
$1,592/mo (31.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Forest Park

View full rent data for Forest Park, OH

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Forest Park, OH?

Median rent in Forest Park is $1,594 a month. A typical chef in Ohio earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 31.7% 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 Forest Park?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Ohio (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Forest Park's current median rent is $1,594/mo, which is $86/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Ohio works roughly 55 hours a month to cover Forest Park's median rent of $1,594.

Where is rent cheaper than Forest Park for a chef?

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Delaware ($1,592/mo), Delaware ($1,592/mo), Delaware ($1,592/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 Forest Park, OH. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.