Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waipahu, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.2% of gross income.
Waipahu 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 Waipahu, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waipahu
View full rent data for Waipahu, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waipahu, HI?
Median rent in Waipahu is $2,897 a month. A typical chef in Hawaii earns about $69,282 a year, which makes that rent 50.2% 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 Waipahu?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Hawaii (~$69,282/yr) supports up to $1,732 a month in rent. Waipahu's current median rent is $2,897/mo, which is $1,165/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waipahu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a chef in Hawaii works roughly 87 hours a month to cover Waipahu's median rent of $2,897.
Where is rent cheaper than Waipahu for a chef?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Kaneohe ($2,895/mo), Waialua ($2,893/mo), Kailua Kona ($2,877/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.