Can A Chef Afford Rent in Wildwood, FL?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.2% of gross income.

Wildwood rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

Wildwood median rent
$1,649/mo
Chef salary (Florida)
$59,660/yr
Rent as % of income
33.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,972, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,492/mo in rent. Wildwood's median rent of $1,649 exceeds that threshold by $157/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 57.5 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Wildwood, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

The Hammocks, FL
$1,648/mo (33.1% of income)
Jacksonville Beach, FL
$1,647/mo (33.1% of income)
Titusville, FL
$1,647/mo (33.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Wildwood

View full rent data for Wildwood, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Wildwood, FL?

Median rent in Wildwood is $1,649 a month. A typical chef in Florida earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 33.2% 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 Wildwood?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Florida (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Wildwood's current median rent is $1,649/mo, which is $157/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Florida works roughly 57.5 hours a month to cover Wildwood's median rent of $1,649.

Where is rent cheaper than Wildwood for a chef?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include The Hammocks ($1,648/mo), Jacksonville Beach ($1,647/mo), Titusville ($1,647/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

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