Can A Chef Afford Rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.3% of gross income.
Wilkes-Barre rent: July 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 Wilkes-Barre, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilkes-Barre
View full rent data for Wilkes-Barre, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Median rent in Wilkes-Barre is $1,337 a month. A typical chef in Pennsylvania earns about $63,509 a year, which makes that rent 25.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Wilkes-Barre?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Pennsylvania (~$63,509/yr) supports up to $1,588 a month in rent. Wilkes-Barre's current median rent is $1,337/mo, which leaves a $251/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Wilkes-Barre?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Pennsylvania works roughly 43.8 hours a month to cover Wilkes-Barre's median rent of $1,337.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilkes-Barre for a chef?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Bethel Park ($1,336/mo), Hanover ($1,336/mo), Aliquippa ($1,336/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.