Can A Chef Afford Rent in Elmhurst, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.3% of gross income.
Elmhurst rent: July 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 Elmhurst, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elmhurst
View full rent data for Elmhurst, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Elmhurst, IL?
Median rent in Elmhurst is $2,468 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 45.3% 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 Elmhurst?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Elmhurst's current median rent is $2,468/mo, which is $832/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Elmhurst?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 78.5 hours a month to cover Elmhurst's median rent of $2,468.
Where is rent cheaper than Elmhurst for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Barrington ($2,465/mo), La Grange ($2,463/mo), Oswego ($2,461/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.