Can A Chef Afford Rent in Mary Esther, FL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.8% of gross income.
Mary Esther rent: June 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 Mary Esther, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Mary Esther
View full rent data for Mary Esther, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Mary Esther, FL?
Median rent in Mary Esther is $1,980 a month. A typical chef in Florida earns about $59,660 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 Mary Esther?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Florida (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Mary Esther's current median rent is $1,980/mo, which is $488/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Mary Esther?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Florida works roughly 69 hours a month to cover Mary Esther's median rent of $1,980.
Where is rent cheaper than Mary Esther for a chef?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Atlantic Beach ($1,979/mo), Odessa ($1,979/mo), Sebastian ($1,979/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.