Can A Chef Afford Rent in Key West, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 71.7% of gross income.
Key West rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Key West, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Key West
View full rent data for Key West, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Key West, FL?
Median rent in Key West is $3,563 a month. A typical chef in Florida earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 71.7% 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 Key West?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Florida (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Key West's current median rent is $3,563/mo, which is $2,071/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Key West?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Florida works roughly 124.2 hours a month to cover Key West's median rent of $3,563.
Where is rent cheaper than Key West for a chef?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Marco Island ($3,561/mo), Key Largo ($3,560/mo), Key Largo ($3,559/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.