Can A Chef Afford Rent in Joliet, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.7% of gross income.
Joliet 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 Joliet, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Joliet
View full rent data for Joliet, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Joliet, IL?
Median rent in Joliet is $1,675 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 30.7% 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 Joliet?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Joliet's current median rent is $1,675/mo, which is $39/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Joliet?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 53.2 hours a month to cover Joliet's median rent of $1,675.
Where is rent cheaper than Joliet for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Sycamore ($1,674/mo), Washington ($1,670/mo), La Grange Park ($1,670/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.