Can A Chef Afford Rent in Hercules, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.8% of gross income.
Hercules rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California 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 California cities have lower median rent than Hercules, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hercules
View full rent data for Hercules, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Hercules, CA?
Median rent in Hercules is $3,013 a month. A typical chef in California earns about $75,697 a year, which makes that rent 47.8% 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 Hercules?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in California (~$75,697/yr) supports up to $1,892 a month in rent. Hercules's current median rent is $3,013/mo, which is $1,121/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Hercules?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in California works roughly 82.8 hours a month to cover Hercules's median rent of $3,013.
Where is rent cheaper than Hercules for a chef?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Belmont ($3,012/mo), Costa Mesa ($3,012/mo), La Mirada ($3,012/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.