Can A Chef Afford Rent in Sterling, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.3% of gross income.
Sterling 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 Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling
View full rent data for Sterling, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Sterling, VA?
Median rent in Sterling is $2,689 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 49.3% 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 Sterling?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $2,689/mo, which is $1,053/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Sterling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 85.5 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $2,689.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include McLean ($2,686/mo), McLean ($2,682/mo), Stafford ($2,664/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.