Can A Chef Afford Rent in Mercer Island, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.3% of gross income.
Mercer Island rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Mercer Island, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Mercer Island
View full rent data for Mercer Island, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Mercer Island, WA?
Median rent in Mercer Island is $2,654 a month. A typical chef in Washington earns about $71,848 a year, which makes that rent 44.3% 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 Mercer Island?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Washington (~$71,848/yr) supports up to $1,796 a month in rent. Mercer Island's current median rent is $2,654/mo, which is $858/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Mercer Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a chef in Washington works roughly 76.8 hours a month to cover Mercer Island's median rent of $2,654.
Where is rent cheaper than Mercer Island for a chef?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Spanaway ($2,653/mo), Bonney Lake ($2,653/mo), Bonney Lake ($2,652/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.