Can A Chef Afford Rent in Kelso, WA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.8% of gross income.
Kelso rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Kelso, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kelso
View full rent data for Kelso, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Kelso, WA?
Median rent in Kelso is $1,485 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 24.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Kelso?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Kelso's current median rent is $1,485/mo, which leaves a $311/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Kelso?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 43 hours a month to cover Kelso's median rent of $1,485.
Where is rent cheaper than Kelso for a chef?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Walla Walla ($1,484/mo), Pullman ($1,481/mo), Moses Lake ($1,481/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.