Can A Chef Afford Rent in Memphis, TN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26% of gross income.
Memphis rent: June 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 Memphis, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Memphis
View full rent data for Memphis, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Memphis, TN?
Median rent in Memphis is $1,280 a month. A typical chef in Tennessee earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 26% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Memphis?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Tennessee (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Memphis's current median rent is $1,280/mo, which leaves a $195/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Memphis?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Tennessee works roughly 45.1 hours a month to cover Memphis's median rent of $1,280.
Where is rent cheaper than Memphis for a chef?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Gallatin ($1,279/mo), Smyrna ($1,274/mo), Jonesborough ($1,274/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.