Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waianae, HI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.8% of gross income.
Waianae 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 Waianae, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waianae
View full rent data for Waianae, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waianae, HI?
Median rent in Waianae is $2,185 a month. A typical chef in Hawaii earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 37.8% 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 Waianae?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Hawaii (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Waianae's current median rent is $2,185/mo, which is $453/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waianae?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Hawaii works roughly 65.6 hours a month to cover Waianae's median rent of $2,185.
Where is rent cheaper than Waianae for a chef?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Wahiawa ($2,179/mo), Wahiawa ($2,171/mo), Wahiawa ($2,164/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.