Can A Chef Afford Rent in Provo, UT?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.3% of gross income.

Provo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Utah state estimate).

Provo median rent
$1,556/mo
Chef salary (Utah)
$61,584/yr
Rent as % of income
30.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,132, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,540/mo in rent. Provo's median rent of $1,556 exceeds that threshold by $16/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 52.6 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 Utah cities have lower median rent than Provo, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Roy, UT
$1,555/mo (30.3% of income)
Salt Lake City, UT
$1,554/mo (30.3% of income)
West Valley City, UT
$1,550/mo (30.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Provo

View full rent data for Provo, UT

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Provo, UT?

Median rent in Provo is $1,556 a month. A typical chef in Utah earns about $61,584 a year, which makes that rent 30.3% 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 Provo?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Utah (~$61,584/yr) supports up to $1,540 a month in rent. Provo's current median rent is $1,556/mo, which is $16/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in Utah works roughly 52.6 hours a month to cover Provo's median rent of $1,556.

Where is rent cheaper than Provo for a chef?

Nearby Utah cities with lower median rent include Roy ($1,555/mo), Salt Lake City ($1,554/mo), West Valley City ($1,550/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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