Can A Chef Afford Rent in Salem, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.7% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Salem, VA?
Median rent in Salem is $1,621 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 29.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,621/mo, which leaves a $15/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 51.5 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,621.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Norfolk ($1,617/mo), Portsmouth ($1,617/mo), Bellwood ($1,615/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.