Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lake Stevens, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.5% of gross income.
Lake Stevens rent: June 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 Lake Stevens, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lake Stevens
View full rent data for Lake Stevens, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Lake Stevens, WA?
Median rent in Lake Stevens is $2,964 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 49.5% 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 Lake Stevens?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Lake Stevens's current median rent is $2,964/mo, which is $1,168/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Lake Stevens?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 85.8 hours a month to cover Lake Stevens's median rent of $2,964.
Where is rent cheaper than Lake Stevens for a chef?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Maple Valley ($2,962/mo), Bainbridge Island ($2,942/mo), Gig Harbor ($2,938/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.