Can A Chef Afford Rent in Middleton, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.5% of gross income.
Middleton 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 Middleton, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Middleton
View full rent data for Middleton, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Middleton, WI?
Median rent in Middleton is $1,601 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 31.5% 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 Middleton?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Middleton's current median rent is $1,601/mo, which is $77/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Middleton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 54.6 hours a month to cover Middleton's median rent of $1,601.
Where is rent cheaper than Middleton for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include River Falls ($1,600/mo), Wauwatosa ($1,600/mo), Germantown ($1,600/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.