Best Cities for Chefs

Chefs and head cooks play a major role in food-related businesses and industries. Whether in a small city or a large urban downtown, chefs and head cooks oversee kitchen operations, supervise other cooks, and tailor ingredients, menus, and dishes in order to satisfy consumers and drive local business. Many chefs are also business owners themselves, running their own restaurants or catering businesses, dealing not only with the food but also marketing and finances.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for chefs and head cooks is expected to grow by 11% over the next ten years, a rate that is over two times higher than the U.S. average. With such a promising occupation, where exactly in the U.S. are the best places for chefs and head cooks to work in?

Here at AdvisorSmith, we conducted a study on 227 U.S. cities to determine the best places for chefs and head cooks to pursue their careers in. Our rankings were based on several key factors, including average annual salary, cost of living, and location quotient, and cities were categorized into small, midsize, and large cities based on metropolitan statistical area population. After careful analysis, we determined the top 50 most attractive cities for chefs and head cooks.

Top Cities for Chefs by City Size

In our study, cities were categorized into different sizes—small, midsize, and large—to account for a variety of lifestyle preferences. Small cities had a metro area population below 150,000, midsize cities had a population between 150,000 and 500,000, and large cities had a population larger than 500,000.

The top 50 cities for chefs in our study consisted of a fairly balanced mix of small, midsize, and large cities. There were 11 small cities, 20 midsize cities, and 19 large cities in the top 50 cities. Notably, Florida dominated the top ten, with 4 of the top ten cities being in Florida. This can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including Florida’s high tourism rate and large retirement population.

1. Sebastian, FL

Sebastian is situated along Florida’s central Atlantic coast and is a principal city in the Sebastian-Vero Beach metropolitan statistical area. Sebastian is part of an area known as the “Treasure Coast,” which includes a number of golf clubs and resorts, including Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, as well as such attractions as the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. Sebastian has experienced substantial growth over the last decade, with the population increasing 9.3% between the years 2012-2017, and personal income increasing 20.9% in the same period. These two rates are important factors driving both job growth and job demand for chefs and head cooks.

The average annual salary for chefs and head cooks in Sebastian is $75,450. This salary is 45% higher than the average salary for chefs in the U.S. This salary is also the second-highest salary for chefs and head cooks in our study. There are also 119% more jobs for chefs in Sebastian on a per-capita basis than in the average U.S. city.

2. Cape Coral, FL

Cape Coral is located along Florida’s Gulf Coast in the southwestern part of the state. Known as a “Waterfront Wonderland,” Cape Coral has experienced tremendous growth over the last decade, with the metropolitan area experiencing a 22% increase in population over the 2010-2018 period—one of the highest growth rates in the nation. The city is home to more than 400 miles of canals, 30 recreational parks, as well as seven golf courses, a fishing pier, and number of renowned Gulf Coast beaches.

The average salary for chefs and head cooks in Cape Coral is $71,940, 38% higher than the national average for chefs. It is also the third-highest salary for chefs in our study. There are also 122% more jobs for chefs in Cape Coral on a per-capita basis than the average U.S. city.

3. Morgantown, WV

Morgantown is a small city in northern West Virginia located 75 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home to West Virginia University, which hosts more than 26,000 students each year, this college town is the medical, cultural, and commercial hub of the region and is located in one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.

The average salary for chefs in Morgantown is $66,140, which is 27% higher than the national average. There are 6% more jobs for chefs in Morgantown on a per-capita basis, and the cost of living is 11% less expensive than the national average.

4. Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas is the 28th-most populated city in the nation and the second-best large city for chefs in our study. Las Vegas is internationally renowned as a major tourist destination and resort city, famous for its entertainment, shopping, and fine dining. With over 40 million people visiting the city each year, Las Vegas hosts a vibrant and competitive restaurant scene, with some of the most celebrated chefs from around the world opening up locations. Needless to say, Las Vegas has an insatiable demand for chefs and head cooks with experience, skill, and creativity.

Las Vegas chefs and head cooks earn an average salary of $57,650, a figure that is 11% higher than the national average. The city has 233% more jobs for chefs on a per-capita basis, which is the sixth-highest percentage among all cities in our study.

5. Springfield, MO

Springfield is the third-largest city in Missouri and is known as the “Queen City of Ozarks.” Over the last decade, southwestern Missouri, including Springfield, have experienced incredible growth. Since the turn of the century, the population in the Springfield metropolitan area has grown by nearly 30%. Like many metropolitan downtowns throughout the Midwest, Springfield’s downtown has seen a revitalization, with old buildings made new again and restaurants, shops, and living spaces filling once abandoned buildings.

Chefs and head cooks in Springfield are paid an average salary of $56,260, a figure 8% higher than the national average. Springfield has 73% more jobs for chefs on a per-capita basis compared to the average U.S. city, and the cost of living in Springfield is 15% less than the national average.

Top 50 Cities for Chefs

Below are the top 50 cities for chefs. In addition to rank, we include for each city its size, average annual salary, total number of available jobs, location quotient, and cost of living.

Rank	City	City Size	Average Annual Salary	Total Jobs	Location Quotient	Cost of Living
1	Sebastian, FL	Midsize	$75,450	100	2.19	100
2	Cape Coral, FL	Large	$71,940	520	2.22	105
3	Morgantown, WV	Small	$66,140	60	1.06	89
4	Las Vegas, NV	Large	$57,650	2920	3.33	105
5	Springfield, MO	Midsize	$56,260	320	1.73	85
6	The Villages, FL	Small	$55,080	90	3.64	108
7	Florence, SC	Midsize	$31,570	400	5.25	83
8	Naples, FL	Midsize	$63,970	440	3.42	125
9	Port St. Lucie, FL	Midsize	$59,010	220	1.67	100
10	Glens Falls, NY	Small	$46,550	150	3.1	96
11	Punta Gorda, FL	Midsize	$58,300	70	1.69	100
12	Ocean City, NJ	Small	$67,930	90	2.55	131
13	Greenville, SC	Large	$45,550	1030	2.81	93
14	Brunswick, GA	Small	$53,760	70	1.82	96
15	Kahului, HI	Midsize	$75,430	270	4.01	191
16	Ithaca, NY	Small	$60,420	50	1.23	104
17	North Port, FL	Large	$63,950	280	1.07	108
18	Charlottesville, VA	Midsize	$57,730	190	1.91	109
19	Gulfport, MS	Midsize	$48,870	220	1.65	90
20	Atlantic City, NJ	Midsize	$58,540	150	1.35	104
21	Rochester, NY	Large	$54,290	470	1.02	93
22	Kingston, NY	Midsize	$49,830	120	2.31	102
23	Orlando, FL	Large	$49,740	2590	2.31	102
24	Buffalo, NY	Large	$49,380	510	1.04	86
25	Hilton Head Island, SC	Midsize	$52,310	190	2.76	117
26	New Haven, CT	Large	$65,830	310	1.21	119
27	Norwich, CT	Midsize	$48,820	320	3.05	117
28	Knoxville, TN	Large	$48,120	340	1	85
29	Napa, CA	Small	$63,980	250	3.7	174
30	Daphne, AL	Midsize	$53,860	70	1.09	98
31	Williamsport, PA	Small	$48,890	50	1.11	91
32	Springfield, IL	Midsize	$47,050	100	1.05	87
33	Crestview, FL	Midsize	$53,990	110	1.15	102
34	Pittsfield, MA	Small	$51,170	60	1.78	108
35	Hartford, CT	Large	$56,350	850	1.63	117
36	Bridgeport, CT	Large	$67,110	770	2.08	150
37	Jacksonville, FL	Large	$50,530	660	1.09	98
38	Syracuse, NY	Large	$43,900	390	1.45	90
39	Santa Fe, NM	Small	$53,830	90	1.66	114
40	Kansas City, MO	Large	$48,430	1000	1.06	94
41	Barnstable Town, MA	Midsize	$67,090	160	1.72	144
42	Portland, ME	Large	$54,120	240	1.3	109
43	Miami, FL	Large	$56,570	2840	1.23	113
44	Lake Charles, LA	Midsize	$44,790	140	1.33	91
45	Champaign, IL	Midsize	$45,860	100	1.09	90
46	Milwaukee, WI	Large	$52,570	760	1.01	102
47	Springfield, OH	Small	$42,470	40	0.97	82
48	Charleston, SC	Large	$40,260	890	2.86	106
49	Bloomington, IL	Midsize	$47,330	80	0.97	92
50	Virginia Beach, VA	Large	$54,120	610	0.91	105

Methodology

AdvisorSmith analyzed three key factors to determine the best cities for chefs and head cooks:

1. Average annual salary for chefs

We gathered the average annual salary of chefs and head cooks in each city and ranked cities higher if they paid chefs more. The annual average salary for chefs in the U.S. in 2018 was $52,160.

2. Cost of living index for each city

We adjusted the average annual salary of each city against a national cost of living index in order to standardize the annual salaries for comparison. Cities with a lower cost of living were ranked higher.

3. Density of jobs for chefs in each city

We utilized a location quotient to determine the density of jobs for chefs in each city. We calculated the location quotient by measuring the number of jobs for chefs against the total number of available jobs in each city. Cities with a higher location quotient were ranked higher.

There were 139,000 jobs for chefs and head cooks in 2018, and employment for chefs is expected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028. This is 2.2 times higher than the average national job growth outlook for all occupations.

Sources
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics
3. Sperling’s Best Places Cost of Living Index

Top Cities for Chefs by City Size