Can A Chef Afford Rent in Media, PA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.9% of gross income.
Media 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 Media, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Media
View full rent data for Media, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Media, PA?
Median rent in Media is $2,431 a month. A typical chef in Pennsylvania earns about $63,509 a year, which makes that rent 45.9% 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 Media?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Pennsylvania (~$63,509/yr) supports up to $1,588 a month in rent. Media's current median rent is $2,431/mo, which is $843/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Media?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Pennsylvania works roughly 79.6 hours a month to cover Media's median rent of $2,431.
Where is rent cheaper than Media for a chef?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Malvern ($2,428/mo), Ardmore ($2,426/mo), Malvern ($2,425/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.