Can A Chef Afford Rent in Brookfield, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.5% of gross income.
Brookfield 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 Brookfield, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brookfield
View full rent data for Brookfield, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Brookfield, WI?
Median rent in Brookfield is $2,207 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 43.5% 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 Brookfield?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Brookfield's current median rent is $2,207/mo, which is $683/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Brookfield?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 75.3 hours a month to cover Brookfield's median rent of $2,207.
Where is rent cheaper than Brookfield for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Verona ($2,089/mo), Saukville ($2,050/mo), Grafton ($2,050/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.