Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waialua, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.6% of gross income.
Waialua rent: September 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 Waialua, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waialua
View full rent data for Waialua, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waialua, HI?
Median rent in Waialua is $3,039 a month. A typical chef in Hawaii earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 52.6% 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 Waialua?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Hawaii (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Waialua's current median rent is $3,039/mo, which is $1,307/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waialua?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Hawaii works roughly 91.2 hours a month to cover Waialua's median rent of $3,039.
Where is rent cheaper than Waialua for a chef?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kihei ($3,032/mo), Lahaina ($3,017/mo), Lahaina ($2,999/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.