Can A Chef Afford Rent in Nampa, ID?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.2% of gross income.

Nampa rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho state estimate).

Nampa median rent
$1,626/mo
Chef salary (Idaho)
$57,094/yr
Rent as % of income
34.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,758, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,427/mo in rent. Nampa's median rent of $1,626 exceeds that threshold by $199/mo, putting a chef salary into the rent-burdened range here. A chef works roughly 59.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Nampa, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:

Twin Falls, ID
$1,625/mo (34.2% of income)
Twin Falls, ID
$1,623/mo (34.1% of income)
Garden City, ID
$1,623/mo (34.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Nampa

View full rent data for Nampa, ID

Frequently asked questions

Can a chef afford rent in Nampa, ID?

Median rent in Nampa is $1,626 a month. A typical chef in Idaho earns about $57,094 a year, which makes that rent 34.2% 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 Nampa?

Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Idaho (~$57,094/yr) supports up to $1,427 a month in rent. Nampa's current median rent is $1,626/mo, which is $199/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Nampa?

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in Idaho works roughly 59.2 hours a month to cover Nampa's median rent of $1,626.

Where is rent cheaper than Nampa for a chef?

Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Twin Falls ($1,625/mo), Twin Falls ($1,623/mo), Garden City ($1,623/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Idaho state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Nampa, ID. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.