Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waterville, ME?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26% of gross income.
Waterville rent: June 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 Waterville, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterville
View full rent data for Waterville, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waterville, ME?
Median rent in Waterville is $1,295 a month. A typical chef in Maine earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 26% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Waterville?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maine (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Waterville's current median rent is $1,295/mo, which leaves a $197/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waterville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Maine works roughly 45.1 hours a month to cover Waterville's median rent of $1,295.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterville for a chef?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Presque Isle ($1,150/mo), Presque Isle ($1,150/mo), Bangor ($1,081/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.