Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waukegan, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.2% of gross income.
Waukegan 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 Waukegan, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waukegan
View full rent data for Waukegan, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waukegan, IL?
Median rent in Waukegan is $1,648 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 30.2% 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 Waukegan?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Waukegan's current median rent is $1,648/mo, which is $12/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waukegan?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 52.4 hours a month to cover Waukegan's median rent of $1,648.
Where is rent cheaper than Waukegan for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Bensenville ($1,645/mo), O Fallon ($1,645/mo), Oak Lawn ($1,644/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.