Can A Chef Afford Rent in Williamsburg, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.7% of gross income.
Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Williamsburg
View full rent data for Williamsburg, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Williamsburg, VA?
Median rent in Williamsburg is $2,058 a month. A typical chef in Virginia earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 37.7% 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 Williamsburg?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Virginia (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Williamsburg's current median rent is $2,058/mo, which is $422/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Williamsburg?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Virginia works roughly 65.4 hours a month to cover Williamsburg's median rent of $2,058.
Where is rent cheaper than Williamsburg for a chef?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Ashburn ($2,055/mo), Virginia Beach ($2,054/mo), Culpeper ($2,053/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.