Can A Chef Afford Rent in Niles, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.7% of gross income.
Niles 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 Niles, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Niles
View full rent data for Niles, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Niles, IL?
Median rent in Niles is $2,329 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 42.7% 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 Niles?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Niles's current median rent is $2,329/mo, which is $693/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Niles?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 74 hours a month to cover Niles's median rent of $2,329.
Where is rent cheaper than Niles for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Barrington ($2,328/mo), Chicago ($2,328/mo), Bartlett ($2,328/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.