Can A Chef Afford Rent in Stow, OH?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.4% of gross income.

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

Stow median rent
$1,679/mo
Chef salary (Ohio)
$60,301/yr
Rent as % of income
33.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,508/mo in rent. Stow's median rent of $1,679 exceeds that threshold by $171/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 57.9 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Stow, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

University Heights, OH
$1,678/mo (33.4% of income)
Gahanna, OH
$1,678/mo (33.4% of income)
South Euclid, OH
$1,677/mo (33.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Stow

View full rent data for Stow, OH

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Stow, OH?

Median rent in Stow is $1,679 a month. A typical chef in Ohio earns about $60,301 a year, which makes that rent 33.4% 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 Stow?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Ohio (~$60,301/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Stow's current median rent is $1,679/mo, which is $171/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Ohio works roughly 57.9 hours a month to cover Stow's median rent of $1,679.

Where is rent cheaper than Stow for a chef?

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include University Heights ($1,678/mo), Gahanna ($1,678/mo), South Euclid ($1,677/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 Stow, OH. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.