Can A Chef Afford Rent in Carol Stream, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.4% of gross income.
Carol Stream rent: June 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 Carol Stream, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carol Stream
View full rent data for Carol Stream, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Carol Stream, IL?
Median rent in Carol Stream is $1,822 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 33.4% 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 Carol Stream?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Carol Stream's current median rent is $1,822/mo, which is $186/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Carol Stream?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 57.9 hours a month to cover Carol Stream's median rent of $1,822.
Where is rent cheaper than Carol Stream for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Bensenville ($1,819/mo), Gurnee ($1,813/mo), Westmont ($1,812/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.