Can A Chef Afford Rent in Cicero, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.2% of gross income.
Cicero 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 Cicero, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cicero
View full rent data for Cicero, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Cicero, IL?
Median rent in Cicero is $1,322 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 24.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Cicero?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Cicero's current median rent is $1,322/mo, which leaves a $314/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Cicero?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 42 hours a month to cover Cicero's median rent of $1,322.
Where is rent cheaper than Cicero for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Cahokia ($1,321/mo), Dekalb ($1,320/mo), Machesney Park ($1,318/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.