Can A Chef Afford Rent in Wheeling, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.8% of gross income.
Wheeling 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 Wheeling, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wheeling
View full rent data for Wheeling, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Wheeling, IL?
Median rent in Wheeling is $2,009 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 36.8% 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 Wheeling?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Wheeling's current median rent is $2,009/mo, which is $373/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Wheeling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 63.9 hours a month to cover Wheeling's median rent of $2,009.
Where is rent cheaper than Wheeling for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Arlington Heights ($2,006/mo), Antioch ($2,005/mo), Des Plaines ($2,005/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.