Can A Chef Afford Rent in Elm Grove, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 64.6% of gross income.
Elm Grove rent: April 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 Elm Grove, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elm Grove
View full rent data for Elm Grove, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Elm Grove, WI?
Median rent in Elm Grove is $3,281 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 64.6% 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 Elm Grove?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Elm Grove's current median rent is $3,281/mo, which is $1,757/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Elm Grove?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 112 hours a month to cover Elm Grove's median rent of $3,281.
Where is rent cheaper than Elm Grove for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Whitefish Bay ($2,819/mo), Whitefish Bay ($2,562/mo), Whitefish Bay ($2,513/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.