Can A Chef Afford Rent in Los Alamos, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55% of gross income.
Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Los Alamos
View full rent data for Los Alamos, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Los Alamos, NM?
Median rent in Los Alamos is $2,645 a month. A typical chef in New Mexico earns about $57,735 a year, which makes that rent 55% 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 Los Alamos?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Mexico (~$57,735/yr) supports up to $1,443 a month in rent. Los Alamos's current median rent is $2,645/mo, which is $1,202/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Los Alamos?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in New Mexico works roughly 95.3 hours a month to cover Los Alamos's median rent of $2,645.
Where is rent cheaper than Los Alamos for a chef?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Artesia ($2,631/mo), Artesia ($2,583/mo), Artesia ($2,573/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.