Can A Chef Afford Rent in Appleton, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.4% of gross income.
Appleton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Appleton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Appleton
View full rent data for Appleton, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Appleton, WI?
Median rent in Appleton is $1,187 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 23.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Appleton?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Appleton's current median rent is $1,187/mo, which leaves a $337/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Appleton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 40.5 hours a month to cover Appleton's median rent of $1,187.
Where is rent cheaper than Appleton for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Janesville ($1,186/mo), Stevens Point ($1,186/mo), Fond du Lac ($1,186/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.