Can A Chef Afford Rent in Hobbs, NM?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.1% of gross income.
Hobbs rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico 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 Mexico cities have lower median rent than Hobbs, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hobbs
View full rent data for Hobbs, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Hobbs, NM?
Median rent in Hobbs is $1,497 a month. A typical chef in New Mexico earns about $57,735 a year, which makes that rent 31.1% 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 Hobbs?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Mexico (~$57,735/yr) supports up to $1,443 a month in rent. Hobbs's current median rent is $1,497/mo, which is $54/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Hobbs?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in New Mexico works roughly 53.9 hours a month to cover Hobbs's median rent of $1,497.
Where is rent cheaper than Hobbs for a chef?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Alamogordo ($1,496/mo), Alamogordo ($1,496/mo), Alamogordo ($1,495/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.