Can A Chef Afford Rent in Blaine, WA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.1% of gross income.

Blaine rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Blaine median rent
$2,521/mo
Chef salary (Washington)
$71,848/yr
Rent as % of income
42.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,987, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,796/mo in rent. Blaine's median rent of $2,521 exceeds that threshold by $725/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 73 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Blaine, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Dupont, WA
$2,520/mo (42.1% of income)
Marysville, WA
$2,520/mo (42.1% of income)
Graham, WA
$2,517/mo (42% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Blaine

View full rent data for Blaine, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Blaine, WA?

Median rent in Blaine is $2,521 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 42.1% 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 Blaine?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Blaine's current median rent is $2,521/mo, which is $725/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 73 hours a month to cover Blaine's median rent of $2,521.

Where is rent cheaper than Blaine for a chef?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Dupont ($2,520/mo), Marysville ($2,520/mo), Graham ($2,517/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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