Can A Chef Afford Rent in Newport News, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.2% of gross income.
Newport News rent: July 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 Newport News, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Newport News
View full rent data for Newport News, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Newport News, VA?
Median rent in Newport News is $1,590 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 29.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Newport News?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Newport News's current median rent is $1,590/mo, which leaves a $46/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Newport News?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 50.5 hours a month to cover Newport News's median rent of $1,590.
Where is rent cheaper than Newport News for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Christiansburg ($1,589/mo), Colonial Heights ($1,589/mo), Waynesboro ($1,588/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.