Can A Chef Afford Rent in Santa Teresa, NM?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35% of gross income.
Santa Teresa rent: September 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 Santa Teresa, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Teresa
View full rent data for Santa Teresa, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Santa Teresa, NM?
Median rent in Santa Teresa is $1,684 a month. A typical chef in New Mexico earns about $57,735 a year, which makes that rent 35% 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 Santa Teresa?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Mexico (~$57,735/yr) supports up to $1,443 a month in rent. Santa Teresa's current median rent is $1,684/mo, which is $241/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Santa Teresa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in New Mexico works roughly 60.7 hours a month to cover Santa Teresa's median rent of $1,684.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Teresa for a chef?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Los Lunas ($1,645/mo), Los Lunas ($1,623/mo), Carlsbad ($1,615/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.