Can A Chef Afford Rent in Alexandria, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.5% of gross income.
Alexandria rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Alexandria, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Alexandria
View full rent data for Alexandria, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Alexandria, VA?
Median rent in Alexandria is $2,318 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 42.5% 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 Alexandria?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Alexandria's current median rent is $2,318/mo, which is $682/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Alexandria?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 73.7 hours a month to cover Alexandria's median rent of $2,318.
Where is rent cheaper than Alexandria for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Leesburg ($2,317/mo), Herndon ($2,315/mo), Herndon ($2,313/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.