Can A Chef Afford Rent in Los Banos, CA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.5% of gross income.

Los Banos rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Los Banos median rent
$2,363/mo
Chef salary (California)
$75,697/yr
Rent as % of income
37.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,308, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,892/mo in rent. Los Banos's median rent of $2,363 exceeds that threshold by $471/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 64.9 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 California cities have lower median rent than Los Banos, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Loma Linda, CA
$2,362/mo (37.4% of income)
San Clemente, CA
$2,362/mo (37.4% of income)
Rocklin, CA
$2,362/mo (37.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Los Banos

View full rent data for Los Banos, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Los Banos, CA?

Median rent in Los Banos is $2,363 a month. A typical chef in California earns about $75,697 a year, which makes that rent 37.5% 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 Los Banos?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in California (~$75,697/yr) supports up to $1,892 a month in rent. Los Banos's current median rent is $2,363/mo, which is $471/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a chef in California works roughly 64.9 hours a month to cover Los Banos's median rent of $2,363.

Where is rent cheaper than Los Banos for a chef?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Loma Linda ($2,362/mo), San Clemente ($2,362/mo), Rocklin ($2,362/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived California state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Los Banos, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.