Can A Chef Afford Rent in Bristol, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.7% of gross income.
Bristol rent: September 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 Bristol, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bristol
View full rent data for Bristol, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Bristol, VA?
Median rent in Bristol is $1,399 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 25.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Bristol?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Bristol's current median rent is $1,399/mo, which leaves a $237/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Bristol?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 44.5 hours a month to cover Bristol's median rent of $1,399.
Where is rent cheaper than Bristol for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Waynesboro ($1,398/mo), Waynesboro ($1,397/mo), Staunton ($1,391/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.