Can A Chef Afford Rent in Meridian, ID?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.4% of gross income.
Meridian 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 Meridian, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Meridian
View full rent data for Meridian, ID →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Meridian, ID?
Median rent in Meridian is $2,065 a month. A typical chef in Idaho earns about $57,094 a year, which makes that rent 43.4% 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 Meridian?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Idaho (~$57,094/yr) supports up to $1,427 a month in rent. Meridian's current median rent is $2,065/mo, which is $638/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Meridian?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Idaho works roughly 75.2 hours a month to cover Meridian's median rent of $2,065.
Where is rent cheaper than Meridian for a chef?
Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Eagle ($2,052/mo), Kimberly ($2,050/mo), Eagle ($2,045/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.