Can A Chef Afford Rent in Caldwell, ID?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.
Caldwell rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho 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 Idaho cities have lower median rent than Caldwell, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Caldwell
View full rent data for Caldwell, ID →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Caldwell, ID?
Median rent in Caldwell is $1,729 a month. A typical chef in Idaho earns about $57,094 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Caldwell?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Idaho (~$57,094/yr) supports up to $1,427 a month in rent. Caldwell's current median rent is $1,729/mo, which is $302/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Caldwell?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Idaho works roughly 63 hours a month to cover Caldwell's median rent of $1,729.
Where is rent cheaper than Caldwell for a chef?
Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Mountain Home ($1,719/mo), Coeur d'Alene ($1,718/mo), Coeur d'Alene ($1,715/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.