Can A Chef Afford Rent in Burlington, VT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.8% of gross income.
Burlington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Vermont 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 Vermont cities have lower median rent than Burlington, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Burlington
View full rent data for Burlington, VT →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Burlington, VT?
Median rent in Burlington is $2,738 a month. A typical chef in Vermont earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 52.8% 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 Burlington?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Vermont (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. Burlington's current median rent is $2,738/mo, which is $1,182/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Burlington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in Vermont works roughly 91.5 hours a month to cover Burlington's median rent of $2,738.
Where is rent cheaper than Burlington for a chef?
Nearby Vermont cities with lower median rent include South Burlington ($2,573/mo), South Burlington ($2,557/mo), South Burlington ($2,550/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.