Can A Chef Afford Rent in Henrico, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.7% of gross income.

Henrico rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Henrico median rent
$1,782/mo
Chef salary (Virginia)
$65,433/yr
Rent as % of income
32.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,453, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,636/mo in rent. Henrico's median rent of $1,782 exceeds that threshold by $146/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 56.6 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 Henrico, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Alexandria, VA
$1,781/mo (32.7% of income)
Front Royal, VA
$1,779/mo (32.6% of income)
Spotsylvania, VA
$1,778/mo (32.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Henrico

View full rent data for Henrico, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Henrico, VA?

Median rent in Henrico is $1,782 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 32.7% 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 Henrico?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Henrico's current median rent is $1,782/mo, which is $146/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 56.6 hours a month to cover Henrico's median rent of $1,782.

Where is rent cheaper than Henrico for a chef?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Alexandria ($1,781/mo), Front Royal ($1,779/mo), Spotsylvania ($1,778/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 Henrico, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.