Can A Chef Afford Rent in Carrollton, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.1% of gross income.

Carrollton rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Carrollton median rent
$1,750/mo
Chef salary (Virginia)
$65,433/yr
Rent as % of income
32.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,453, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,636/mo in rent. Carrollton's median rent of $1,750 exceeds that threshold by $114/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 55.6 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Carrollton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Front Royal, VA
$1,749/mo (32.1% of income)
Norfolk, VA
$1,748/mo (32.1% of income)
Chester, VA
$1,747/mo (32% of income)

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 $1,750 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 32.1% 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 $1,750/mo, which is $114/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 55.6 hours a month to cover Carrollton's median rent of $1,750.

Where is rent cheaper than Carrollton for a chef?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Front Royal ($1,749/mo), Norfolk ($1,748/mo), Chester ($1,747/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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