Can A Chef Afford Rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.9% of gross income.
Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Milwaukee
View full rent data for Milwaukee, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Median rent in Milwaukee is $1,469 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 28.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Milwaukee?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,469/mo, which leaves a $55/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Milwaukee?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 50.1 hours a month to cover Milwaukee's median rent of $1,469.
Where is rent cheaper than Milwaukee for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Waukesha ($1,467/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo), Waukesha ($1,449/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.