Can A Chef Afford Rent in Maple Valley, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.3% of gross income.
Maple Valley 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 Maple Valley, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Maple Valley
View full rent data for Maple Valley, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Maple Valley, WA?
Median rent in Maple Valley is $3,070 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 51.3% 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 Maple Valley?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Maple Valley's current median rent is $3,070/mo, which is $1,274/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Maple Valley?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 88.9 hours a month to cover Maple Valley's median rent of $3,070.
Where is rent cheaper than Maple Valley for a chef?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Bainbridge Island ($3,050/mo), Issaquah ($3,031/mo), Lake Stevens ($3,023/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.