Can A Chef Afford Rent in Exeter, NH?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.3% of gross income.
Exeter rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire cities have lower median rent than Exeter, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Exeter
View full rent data for Exeter, NH →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Exeter, NH?
Median rent in Exeter is $2,552 a month. A typical chef in New Hampshire earns about $66,075 a year, which makes that rent 46.3% 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 Exeter?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Hampshire (~$66,075/yr) supports up to $1,652 a month in rent. Exeter's current median rent is $2,552/mo, which is $900/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Exeter?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in New Hampshire works roughly 80.3 hours a month to cover Exeter's median rent of $2,552.
Where is rent cheaper than Exeter for a chef?
Nearby New Hampshire cities with lower median rent include Lebanon ($2,551/mo), Salem ($2,551/mo), Salem ($2,546/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.