Can A Chef Afford Rent in Arlington Heights, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.7% of gross income.
Arlington Heights rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Arlington Heights, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Arlington Heights
View full rent data for Arlington Heights, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Arlington Heights, IL?
Median rent in Arlington Heights is $1,999 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 36.7% 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 Arlington Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Arlington Heights's current median rent is $1,999/mo, which is $363/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Arlington Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 63.5 hours a month to cover Arlington Heights's median rent of $1,999.
Where is rent cheaper than Arlington Heights for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Wheeling ($1,998/mo), Romeoville ($1,998/mo), Hoffman Estates ($1,998/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.