Can A Chef Afford Rent in Milton, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.7% of gross income.

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

Milton median rent
$2,136/mo
Chef salary (Washington)
$71,848/yr
Rent as % of income
35.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,987, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,796/mo in rent. Milton's median rent of $2,136 exceeds that threshold by $340/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 61.8 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 Milton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Port Orchard, WA
$2,135/mo (35.7% of income)
Edgewood, WA
$2,132/mo (35.6% of income)
Arlington, WA
$2,130/mo (35.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Milton

View full rent data for Milton, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Milton, WA?

Median rent in Milton is $2,136 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 35.7% 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 Milton?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Milton's current median rent is $2,136/mo, which is $340/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 61.8 hours a month to cover Milton's median rent of $2,136.

Where is rent cheaper than Milton for a chef?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Port Orchard ($2,135/mo), Edgewood ($2,132/mo), Arlington ($2,130/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 Milton, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.