Can A Chef Afford Rent in Cape Elizabeth, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 63.7% of gross income.
Cape Elizabeth rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine 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 Maine cities have lower median rent than Cape Elizabeth, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cape Elizabeth
View full rent data for Cape Elizabeth, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Cape Elizabeth, ME?
Median rent in Cape Elizabeth is $3,166 a month. A typical chef in Maine earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 63.7% 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 Cape Elizabeth?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maine (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Cape Elizabeth's current median rent is $3,166/mo, which is $1,674/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Cape Elizabeth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Maine works roughly 110.4 hours a month to cover Cape Elizabeth's median rent of $3,166.
Where is rent cheaper than Cape Elizabeth for a chef?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Falmouth ($3,025/mo), Falmouth ($3,000/mo), Gorham ($3,000/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.