Can A Chef Afford Rent in South Burlington, VT?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.4% of gross income.

South Burlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Vermont state estimate).

South Burlington median rent
$2,663/mo
Chef salary (Vermont)
$62,226/yr
Rent as % of income
51.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,186, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,556/mo in rent. South Burlington's median rent of $2,663 exceeds that threshold by $1,107/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 89 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 South Burlington, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Colchester, VT
$2,420/mo (46.7% of income)
Colchester, VT
$2,292/mo (44.2% of income)
Hartford, VT
$2,225/mo (42.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South Burlington

View full rent data for South Burlington, VT

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in South Burlington, VT?

Median rent in South Burlington is $2,663 a month. A typical chef in Vermont earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 51.4% 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 South Burlington?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Vermont (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. South Burlington's current median rent is $2,663/mo, which is $1,107/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in South Burlington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in Vermont works roughly 89 hours a month to cover South Burlington's median rent of $2,663.

Where is rent cheaper than South Burlington for a chef?

Nearby Vermont cities with lower median rent include Colchester ($2,420/mo), Colchester ($2,292/mo), Hartford ($2,225/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Vermont state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for South Burlington, VT. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.