Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lebanon, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.3% of gross income.
Lebanon rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Lebanon, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lebanon
View full rent data for Lebanon, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Lebanon, TN?
Median rent in Lebanon is $1,685 a month. A typical chef in Tennessee earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 34.3% 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 Lebanon?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Tennessee (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Lebanon's current median rent is $1,685/mo, which is $210/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Lebanon?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Tennessee works roughly 59.4 hours a month to cover Lebanon's median rent of $1,685.
Where is rent cheaper than Lebanon for a chef?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Alcoa ($1,684/mo), Oak Ridge ($1,683/mo), Murfreesboro ($1,683/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.