Can A Chef Afford Rent in Stafford, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.9% of gross income.
Stafford rent: June 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 Stafford, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Stafford
View full rent data for Stafford, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Stafford, VA?
Median rent in Stafford is $2,664 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 48.9% 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 Stafford?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Stafford's current median rent is $2,664/mo, which is $1,028/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Stafford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 84.7 hours a month to cover Stafford's median rent of $2,664.
Where is rent cheaper than Stafford for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Arlington ($2,662/mo), McLean ($2,660/mo), McLean ($2,653/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.