Can A Chef Afford Rent in Athens, TX?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.1% of gross income.
Athens rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Athens
View full rent data for Athens, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Athens, TX?
Median rent in Athens is $1,168 a month. A typical chef in Texas earns about $63,509 a year, which makes that rent 22.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Athens?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Texas (~$63,509/yr) supports up to $1,588 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,168/mo, which leaves a $420/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Athens?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Texas works roughly 38.3 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,168.
Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a chef?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include North Richland Hills ($1,167/mo), Midland ($1,165/mo), Freeport ($1,164/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.