Can A Chef Afford Rent in Altoona, PA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 19.5% of gross income.
Altoona rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania state estimate).
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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Altoona, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Altoona
View full rent data for Altoona, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Altoona, PA?
Median rent in Altoona is $1,033 a month. A typical chef in Pennsylvania earns about $63,509 a year, which makes that rent 19.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Altoona?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Pennsylvania (~$63,509/yr) supports up to $1,588 a month in rent. Altoona's current median rent is $1,033/mo, which leaves a $555/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Altoona?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Pennsylvania works roughly 33.8 hours a month to cover Altoona's median rent of $1,033.
Where is rent cheaper than Altoona for a chef?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Lancaster ($1,032/mo), McKeesport ($1,031/mo), Latrobe ($1,030/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.