Can A Chef Afford Rent in Hamilton, OH?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.

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

Hamilton median rent
$1,617/mo
Chef salary (Ohio)
$60,301/yr
Rent as % of income
32.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,508/mo in rent. Hamilton's median rent of $1,617 exceeds that threshold by $109/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 55.8 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 Hamilton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Springdale, OH
$1,616/mo (32.2% of income)
University Heights, OH
$1,615/mo (32.1% of income)
South Euclid, OH
$1,614/mo (32.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Hamilton

View full rent data for Hamilton, OH

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Hamilton, OH?

Median rent in Hamilton is $1,617 a month. A typical chef in Ohio earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 32.2% 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 Hamilton?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Ohio (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Hamilton's current median rent is $1,617/mo, which is $109/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Ohio works roughly 55.8 hours a month to cover Hamilton's median rent of $1,617.

Where is rent cheaper than Hamilton for a chef?

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Springdale ($1,616/mo), University Heights ($1,615/mo), South Euclid ($1,614/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 Hamilton, OH. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.