Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lynnwood, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.6% of gross income.

Lynnwood rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Lynnwood median rent
$2,191/mo
Chef salary (Washington)
$71,848/yr
Rent as % of income
36.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,987, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,796/mo in rent. Lynnwood's median rent of $2,191 exceeds that threshold by $395/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 63.4 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 Lynnwood, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Spanaway, WA
$2,188/mo (36.5% of income)
Ferndale, WA
$2,187/mo (36.5% of income)
Seattle, WA
$2,187/mo (36.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lynnwood

View full rent data for Lynnwood, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Lynnwood, WA?

Median rent in Lynnwood is $2,191 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 36.6% 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 Lynnwood?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Lynnwood's current median rent is $2,191/mo, which is $395/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 63.4 hours a month to cover Lynnwood's median rent of $2,191.

Where is rent cheaper than Lynnwood for a chef?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Spanaway ($2,188/mo), Ferndale ($2,187/mo), Seattle ($2,187/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 Lynnwood, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.