Can A Chef Afford Rent in Camden, SC?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.7% of gross income.

Camden rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina state estimate).

Camden median rent
$1,493/mo
Chef salary (South Carolina)
$56,452/yr
Rent as % of income
31.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,704, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,411/mo in rent. Camden's median rent of $1,493 exceeds that threshold by $82/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 55 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 South Carolina cities have lower median rent than Camden, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Cayce, SC
$1,492/mo (31.7% of income)
Seneca, SC
$1,490/mo (31.7% of income)
Sumter, SC
$1,489/mo (31.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Camden

View full rent data for Camden, SC

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Camden, SC?

Median rent in Camden is $1,493 a month. A typical chef in South Carolina earns about $56,452 a year, which makes that rent 31.7% 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 Camden?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in South Carolina (~$56,452/yr) supports up to $1,411 a month in rent. Camden's current median rent is $1,493/mo, which is $82/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in South Carolina works roughly 55 hours a month to cover Camden's median rent of $1,493.

Where is rent cheaper than Camden for a chef?

Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Cayce ($1,492/mo), Seneca ($1,490/mo), Sumter ($1,489/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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