Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waikoloa, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.4% of gross income.
Waikoloa 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 Waikoloa, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waikoloa
View full rent data for Waikoloa, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waikoloa, HI?
Median rent in Waikoloa is $3,200 a month. A typical chef in Hawaii earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 55.4% 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 Waikoloa?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Hawaii (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Waikoloa's current median rent is $3,200/mo, which is $1,468/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waikoloa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Hawaii works roughly 96.1 hours a month to cover Waikoloa's median rent of $3,200.
Where is rent cheaper than Waikoloa for a chef?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Makawao ($3,199/mo), Wailuku ($3,197/mo), Lahaina ($3,197/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.