Can A Chef Afford Rent in Kihei, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.1% of gross income.
Kihei 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 Kihei, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kihei
View full rent data for Kihei, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Kihei, HI?
Median rent in Kihei is $3,182 a month. A typical chef in Hawaii earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 55.1% 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 Kihei?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Hawaii (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Kihei's current median rent is $3,182/mo, which is $1,450/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Kihei?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Hawaii works roughly 95.5 hours a month to cover Kihei's median rent of $3,182.
Where is rent cheaper than Kihei for a chef?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kapolei ($3,178/mo), Kapolei ($3,171/mo), Wailuku ($3,167/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.