Can A Chef Afford Rent in Tukwila, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.1% of gross income.

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

Tukwila median rent
$1,983/mo
Chef salary (Washington)
$71,848/yr
Rent as % of income
33.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,987, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,796/mo in rent. Tukwila's median rent of $1,983 exceeds that threshold by $187/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 57.4 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 Tukwila, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Woodinville, WA
$1,982/mo (33.1% of income)
Ferndale, WA
$1,981/mo (33.1% of income)
Oak Harbor, WA
$1,981/mo (33.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Tukwila

View full rent data for Tukwila, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Tukwila, WA?

Median rent in Tukwila is $1,983 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 33.1% 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 Tukwila?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Tukwila's current median rent is $1,983/mo, which is $187/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 57.4 hours a month to cover Tukwila's median rent of $1,983.

Where is rent cheaper than Tukwila for a chef?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Woodinville ($1,982/mo), Ferndale ($1,981/mo), Oak Harbor ($1,981/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 Tukwila, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.