Can A Chef Afford Rent in Johnston, RI?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.

Johnston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island state estimate).

Johnston median rent
$2,019/mo
Chef salary (Rhode Island)
$66,716/yr
Rent as % of income
36.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,560, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,668/mo in rent. Johnston's median rent of $2,019 exceeds that threshold by $351/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 62.9 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Johnston, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Westerly, RI
$2,014/mo (36.2% of income)
Westerly, RI
$2,011/mo (36.2% of income)
Cranston, RI
$2,009/mo (36.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Johnston

View full rent data for Johnston, RI

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Johnston, RI?

Median rent in Johnston is $2,019 a month. A typical chef in Rhode Island earns about $66,716 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Johnston?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Rhode Island (~$66,716/yr) supports up to $1,668 a month in rent. Johnston's current median rent is $2,019/mo, which is $351/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Rhode Island works roughly 62.9 hours a month to cover Johnston's median rent of $2,019.

Where is rent cheaper than Johnston for a chef?

Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Westerly ($2,014/mo), Westerly ($2,011/mo), Cranston ($2,009/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Rhode Island state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Johnston, RI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.