Can A Chef Afford Rent in Rochester, NH?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.1% of gross income.
Rochester 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 Rochester, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rochester
View full rent data for Rochester, NH →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Rochester, NH?
Median rent in Rochester is $1,820 a month. A typical chef in New Hampshire earns about $66,075 a year, which makes that rent 33.1% 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 Rochester?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Hampshire (~$66,075/yr) supports up to $1,652 a month in rent. Rochester's current median rent is $1,820/mo, which is $168/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Rochester?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in New Hampshire works roughly 57.3 hours a month to cover Rochester's median rent of $1,820.
Where is rent cheaper than Rochester for a chef?
Nearby New Hampshire cities with lower median rent include Keene ($1,819/mo), Exeter ($1,816/mo), Keene ($1,816/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.