Can A Chef Afford Rent in Mount Vernon, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.1% of gross income.
Mount Vernon rent: September 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 Mount Vernon, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Mount Vernon
View full rent data for Mount Vernon, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Mount Vernon, WA?
Median rent in Mount Vernon is $2,402 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 40.1% 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 Mount Vernon?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Mount Vernon's current median rent is $2,402/mo, which is $606/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Mount Vernon?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 69.5 hours a month to cover Mount Vernon's median rent of $2,402.
Where is rent cheaper than Mount Vernon for a chef?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Newcastle ($2,401/mo), Newcastle ($2,400/mo), Newcastle ($2,399/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.