Can A Chef Afford Rent in Rolling Meadows, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.8% of gross income.
Rolling Meadows 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 Rolling Meadows, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rolling Meadows
View full rent data for Rolling Meadows, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Rolling Meadows, IL?
Median rent in Rolling Meadows is $2,061 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 37.8% 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 Rolling Meadows?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Rolling Meadows's current median rent is $2,061/mo, which is $425/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Rolling Meadows?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 65.5 hours a month to cover Rolling Meadows's median rent of $2,061.
Where is rent cheaper than Rolling Meadows for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Round Lake Beach ($2,060/mo), Round Lake Beach ($2,059/mo), Round Lake Beach ($2,059/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.