Can A Chef Afford Rent in Carrollton, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.5% of gross income.
Carrollton rent: March 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 Carrollton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carrollton
View full rent data for Carrollton, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Carrollton, VA?
Median rent in Carrollton is $1,825 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 33.5% 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 Carrollton?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Carrollton's current median rent is $1,825/mo, which is $189/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Carrollton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 58 hours a month to cover Carrollton's median rent of $1,825.
Where is rent cheaper than Carrollton for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Sterling ($1,823/mo), Centreville ($1,822/mo), Suffolk ($1,821/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.