Can A Chef Afford Rent in Elgin, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35% of gross income.
Elgin 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 Elgin, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elgin
View full rent data for Elgin, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Elgin, IL?
Median rent in Elgin is $1,909 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 35% 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 Elgin?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Elgin's current median rent is $1,909/mo, which is $273/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Elgin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 60.7 hours a month to cover Elgin's median rent of $1,909.
Where is rent cheaper than Elgin for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Rolling Meadows ($1,908/mo), Glendale Heights ($1,908/mo), Arlington Heights ($1,907/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.