Can A Chef Afford Rent in Hilo, HI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.2% of gross income.
Hilo rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii 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 Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Hilo, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hilo
View full rent data for Hilo, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Hilo, HI?
Median rent in Hilo is $2,088 a month. A typical chef in Hawaii earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 36.2% 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 Hilo?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Hawaii (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Hilo's current median rent is $2,088/mo, which is $356/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Hilo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Hawaii works roughly 62.7 hours a month to cover Hilo's median rent of $2,088.
Where is rent cheaper than Hilo for a chef?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Wahiawa ($2,087/mo), Waianae ($2,086/mo), Honolulu ($2,050/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.