Can A Chef Afford Rent in Fresno, TX?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.6% of gross income.

Fresno rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Fresno median rent
$2,150/mo
Chef salary (Texas)
$63,509/yr
Rent as % of income
40.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,292, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,588/mo in rent. Fresno's median rent of $2,150 exceeds that threshold by $562/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 70.4 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Fresno, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Midlothian, TX
$2,149/mo (40.6% of income)
Cinco Ranch, TX
$2,147/mo (40.6% of income)
Little Elm, TX
$2,147/mo (40.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Fresno

View full rent data for Fresno, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Fresno, TX?

Median rent in Fresno is $2,150 a month. A typical chef in Texas earns about $63,509 a year, which makes that rent 40.6% 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 Fresno?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Texas (~$63,509/yr) supports up to $1,588 a month in rent. Fresno's current median rent is $2,150/mo, which is $562/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Texas works roughly 70.4 hours a month to cover Fresno's median rent of $2,150.

Where is rent cheaper than Fresno for a chef?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Midlothian ($2,149/mo), Cinco Ranch ($2,147/mo), Little Elm ($2,147/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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