Can A Chef Afford Rent in Lewes, DE?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.8% of gross income.
Lewes rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware 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 Delaware cities have lower median rent than Lewes, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lewes
View full rent data for Lewes, DE →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Lewes, DE?
Median rent in Lewes is $2,170 a month. A typical chef in Delaware earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 39.8% 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 Lewes?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Delaware (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Lewes's current median rent is $2,170/mo, which is $534/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Lewes?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Delaware works roughly 69 hours a month to cover Lewes's median rent of $2,170.
Where is rent cheaper than Lewes for a chef?
Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Bear ($2,167/mo), Newark ($2,165/mo), Bear ($2,160/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.