Can A Chef Afford Rent in Powell, TN?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.2% of gross income.

Powell rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee state estimate).

Powell median rent
$2,075/mo
Chef salary (Tennessee)
$59,018/yr
Rent as % of income
42.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,918, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,475/mo in rent. Powell's median rent of $2,075 exceeds that threshold by $600/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 73.1 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Powell, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

La Vergne, TN
$2,073/mo (42.1% of income)
Thompsons Station, TN
$2,070/mo (42.1% of income)
Franklin, TN
$2,065/mo (42% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Powell

View full rent data for Powell, TN

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Powell, TN?

Median rent in Powell is $2,075 a month. A typical chef in Tennessee earns about $59,018 a year, which makes that rent 42.2% 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 Powell?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Tennessee (~$59,018/yr) supports up to $1,475 a month in rent. Powell's current median rent is $2,075/mo, which is $600/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in Tennessee works roughly 73.1 hours a month to cover Powell's median rent of $2,075.

Where is rent cheaper than Powell for a chef?

Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include La Vergne ($2,073/mo), Thompsons Station ($2,070/mo), Franklin ($2,065/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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