Can A Chef Afford Rent in Morgantown, WV?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.9% of gross income.
Morgantown rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (West Virginia 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 West Virginia cities have lower median rent than Morgantown, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Morgantown
View full rent data for Morgantown, WV →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Morgantown, WV?
Median rent in Morgantown is $1,539 a month. A typical chef in West Virginia earns about $54,528 a year, which makes that rent 33.9% 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 Morgantown?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in West Virginia (~$54,528/yr) supports up to $1,363 a month in rent. Morgantown's current median rent is $1,539/mo, which is $176/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Morgantown?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a chef in West Virginia works roughly 58.7 hours a month to cover Morgantown's median rent of $1,539.
Where is rent cheaper than Morgantown for a chef?
Nearby West Virginia cities with lower median rent include Martinsburg ($1,536/mo), Martinsburg ($1,533/mo), Martinsburg ($1,527/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.