Can A Chef Afford Rent in Geneva, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.7% of gross income.
Geneva 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 Geneva, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Geneva
View full rent data for Geneva, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Geneva, IL?
Median rent in Geneva is $2,221 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 40.7% 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 Geneva?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Geneva's current median rent is $2,221/mo, which is $585/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Geneva?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 70.6 hours a month to cover Geneva's median rent of $2,221.
Where is rent cheaper than Geneva for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Evanston ($2,220/mo), Downers Grove ($2,219/mo), Mundelein ($2,219/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.