Can A Chef Afford Rent in Wailuku, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.5% of gross income.
Wailuku 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 Wailuku, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wailuku
View full rent data for Wailuku, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Wailuku, HI?
Median rent in Wailuku is $3,202 a month. A typical chef in Hawaii earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 55.5% 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 Wailuku?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Hawaii (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Wailuku's current median rent is $3,202/mo, which is $1,470/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Wailuku?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Hawaii works roughly 96.1 hours a month to cover Wailuku's median rent of $3,202.
Where is rent cheaper than Wailuku for a chef?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Waikoloa ($3,200/mo), Makawao ($3,199/mo), Lahaina ($3,197/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.