Can A Chef Afford Rent in Woodridge, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30% of gross income.
Woodridge 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 Woodridge, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Woodridge
View full rent data for Woodridge, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Woodridge, IL?
Median rent in Woodridge is $1,638 a month. A typical chef in Illinois earns about $65,433 a year, which makes that rent 30% 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 Woodridge?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Illinois (~$65,433/yr) supports up to $1,636 a month in rent. Woodridge's current median rent is $1,638/mo, which is $2/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Woodridge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a chef in Illinois works roughly 52.1 hours a month to cover Woodridge's median rent of $1,638.
Where is rent cheaper than Woodridge for a chef?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Lansing ($1,637/mo), Chicago ($1,635/mo), Joliet ($1,634/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.